Jannik Sinner is, deservedly, one of the sport’s most well-respected individuals.
After all, he seldom finds himself in hot water, as the ultimate professional who dispatches the vast majority of his opponents with surgical precision and speed.
He is made all the more interesting due to the relationship he shares with Carlos Alcaraz, with these two spurring one another on to greater heights, and doing so with complete harmony.
It seems strange to see such huge rivals seemingly such good friends off the court, and it seems that the lack of animosity between Jannik Sinner and the Spaniard has been noted by the Madrid Open fans.
Jannik Sinner discusses his relationship with Spanish fans because of Carlos Alcaraz
Speaking to Tennis Channel, the world number one was asked how he is treated by Spanish fans, particularly in the absence of Alcaraz after his injury ruled him out for the rest of the clay-court season.
And, whilst some might have expected friction as they seek to will their hometown hero on to a greater career, Sinner argues it has been anything but.
How worried are you about Carlos Alcaraz’s injury?
Carlos Alcaraz will miss Rome and Roland Garros…
“Spain… it has been always treating me very nicely,” he began, theorising how his relationship with Alcaraz has changed the way he’s been treated. “I do believe my rivalry and also my friendship with Carlos helped me to be in a nice position with them [Spanish fans].”
Sinner continued: “But I never had problems. I always loved Spain. I love Spanish people, I also really love the kitchen, you know… the food. Yeah, I love it.
“And yeah, so it’s almost nice, you know, for me back in the day, I also played Barcelona sometimes. It’s a beautiful tournament there. Then you come here, very nice people, nice atmosphere, even though you feel the absence of Carlos.
“We wish him a speedy recovery, but I talked a lot about him now in press, so… Yeah, you can feel that he’s not here, you know.
“And then you will definitely feel it in Rome and mostly also Roland Garros, being the defending champion. A Grand Slam without Carlos, it’s something different, you know, for the tennis world.
“As I said, you know, yesterday, tennis needs Carlos.
“It’s always much nicer when he’s around, you know, you feel a different energy, you feel the people, but at the same time, I love to be here, and I try to go my track and my way and then we see.”
He spoke about it briefly here, but at an earlier press conference, not long after the news broke, Sinner discussed Alcaraz’s withdrawal from Roland Garros in greater depth.
Jannik Sinner’s only threat for the Madrid Open title
With Alcaraz absent, it does feel like Sinner should win every event he enters now.
After all, even with the 22-year-old present, over the last couple of months, the Italian has been dominant.
Can anyone now stop Jannik Sinner from winning Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal?
If yes, who?
Completing the Sunshine Double, he then beat Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final, reaffirming his credentials on clay as he has swanned to Madrid and maintained his electric form.
If anyone was to be a threat to him winning the title here in the Spanish capital, it feels like it would have to be a wildcard like Arthur Fils or Rafa Jodar. Both are still relatively unknown commodities on the ATP Tour due to the former recently returning from injury, and the latter’s freshness on tour.
Aside from that, it’s hard to see anyone beating him in his current form.
