Jannik Sinner has revealed what his relationship with Carlos Alcaraz is really like, rating their rivalry after yesterday’s Wimbledon final.
The Italian was the deserved victor, and despite losing the opening set remained the better player throughout.
And whilst the same arguably was the case in Paris, where he somehow conspiring to lose that final, this result will now feel even sweeter because of such a crushing defeat.
This marked the second time these two have met in Grand Slam finals, and between them have shared the last seven now. If one of them had not existed, the other would likely be swimming in even more silverware.
However, Jannik Sinner remains grateful for Carlos Alcaraz’s presence.
Jannik Sinner reveals what his relationship with Carlos Alcaraz is like
Speaking to the Tennis Channel, the start of his chat with them saw Sinner send heartfelt messages to his family and his team, the latter of which he claimed had been through so much.
After all, what he has overcome to achieve this feat, a first Grand Slam title away from a hard court, deserves so much praise.
Asked about Alcaraz specifically though, and he went into great detail about their rivalry and if he actually enjoys having to play him for these elite honours.
The 23-year-old claimed: “I think so, I think for me personally, it’s great to have him because, you know, you always walk off the court and also today you won, but you still are like, okay, I could do a couple of things better or you have to try to keep going and keep working because now at the moment it’s me and Carlos. But who knows in the future? Because they are so great players out there, and it’s so difficult to get only to a moment where you play a final of a Grand Slam against Carlos, but, you know, on the way to do that, you have to pass some very, very tough obstacles.
“So, you know, the rivalry with me, we have a great friendship off the court and of course, you know, on the court, we push each other to the limits. And until now, this has been a great, great thing for both of us.”
Sinner surpassed Roger Federer in a key Grand Slam statistic after he won Wimbledon yesterday, to emphasise the kind of company he is now keeping.
How many Grand Slam titles does Jannik Sinner now have?
Had Alcaraz won yesterday’s Wimbledon final, the landscape of his rivalry with Sinner would have looked so different.
After all, personally, he would have claimed his sixth Grand Slam title, and maintained his 100% win record in major finals.
Not only that, but by beating his great rival, he would have pulled even further away in terms of their respective major titles, whilst forcing the 23-year-old to stay on his current tally.
Alas, he did not win, and it was Sinner who snagged his fourth Grand Slam title, and a first not on the hard courts of New York or Melbourne.
Given just how close he was to the Roland Garros crown too, he will have grand aspirations of completing his career slam next year when he returns to the site of one of his toughest defeats.
