World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz’s season ended prematurely due to a hamstring issue that kept him out of the Davis Cup Finals, shortly after he reached the final of the Nitto ATP Finals, where he lost a closely contested match to World No.2 Jannik Sinner.
In a recent media appearance, the Spaniard opened up about what has become a true generation-defining rivalry with Sinner and how significant a challenge the Italian presents on the Tour.
Alcaraz on the evolution of his rivalry with Sinner
When asked how he feels about comparisons between his rivalry with Sinner and legendary matchups such as Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz admitted that the recognition is a genuine honor, noting that great rivalries are what drive global fan interest.
“That comparison is a true honor for me as a player. Jannik and I have already faced each other on many important stages and had intense matches. We’ve faced off in several Grand Slam finals, and I believe we push each other to get better. With both of us still having long careers ahead, I hope we can continue this positive rivalry that will help us grow together.”
One could argue that Alcaraz is understating the scale of their rivalry, given that their most recent match in Turin broke the all-time viewership record in Italy for a tennis match. Together, the two have shattered attendance and broadcast milestones on the court, while reaching historic commercial figures off it.
Why Sinner is Alcaraz’s toughest match-up on tour
Alcaraz was then asked what specifically makes Sinner so difficult to face. Despite winning seven of their last nine meetings, including this year’s US Open final, he praised the Italian highly, suggesting that Sinner has no real weakness and excels both offensively and defensively.
“Jannik and I have been on the circuit since we were young and know each other’s game intimately. There’s hardly anything to hide on the court. Jannik is a player who has virtually no weaknesses. He’s powerful on offense, and his defense is incredibly quick and solid. He’s been absolutely dominant in the 2025 season, having won two Grand Slams, the ATP Finals, and stayed in the race for the world No. 1 spot until the end. Playing against him is not easy. You have to maintain a high level of concentration throughout the match, and there’s no room for a moment of complacency. He’s a player against whom you need to give 100% from the first to the last point to have a chance of winning.”
Not only have the pair split the last eight Major titles between them, but they also won every tournament in 2025 that featured both players in the draw, a level of duopoly rarely seen in tennis. And the scary part for the rest of the Tour is that both are still young and continue to improve consistently. With no clear third challenger in sight, expectations heading into the 2026 season once again revolve around how much these two can dominate, with an early preview coming in their exhibition in Korea in January.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images