Jannik Sinner discloses what happens in his training sessions when he sees Carlos Alcaraz winning tournaments
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have quickly established themselves as the premier forces in men’s tennis. Between them, they’ve claimed the last five Grand Slam titles and currently sit atop the ATP rankings, dominating a new era of the sport.
Their rivalry is one of the most electrifying in tennis today—built on mutual respect but driven by an intense desire to outdo each other whenever they meet on court.
Sinner on Alcaraz: “His wins push me harder in training”
In a recent interview, Sinner revealed how Alcaraz’s success affects him during his own training sessions.
“Me and Carlos have a great rivalry,” Sinner said. “Whenever he’s winning, I can feel the intensity of my practices go up. There’s always a little extra attention when we play each other.”
The competition between the two brings out their best, and their matches have become must-watch events for tennis fans around the world.
A rivalry born in fire: French Open 2024 battle
One of the most memorable clashes between the two came during the 2024 French Open semi-finals. Battling for a spot in their first Roland Garros final, the match stretched to five gripping sets. Alcaraz eventually came out on top—despite battling severe cramping and a nagging right-hand issue.
Sinner admitted he noticed Alcaraz’s discomfort and tried to exploit it. “I saw he was struggling with the right hand, so I started moving him around, trying to figure out where the pain was,” he said. “Eventually, we were both cramping—my hand was locking up too.”
Alcaraz, reflecting on the match, said: “I had to change things up. I was cramping badly, especially in the third set. In front of 10,000 people, not being able to perform the way you want… it really messes with your head.”
Still, the Spaniard fought through the pain and sealed the win with sheer willpower. “I told myself, ‘Jannik, if you want to beat me, you’re going to have to carry me off this court,’” Alcaraz said. Sinner acknowledged that spirit, adding: “Carlos was much better than me at finding a way to win. It shows just how mentally strong he is.”
A rivalry for the ages
With both players in their early 20s—Alcaraz at 21 and Sinner at 23—their rivalry is set to define men’s tennis for years to come. They continue to push each other to new levels, not only during their matches but in everyday preparation.
Alcaraz has previously said of Sinner: “He’s the toughest opponent I’ve ever faced. He makes me want to improve and pushes me to become a better athlete.”
