Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have grown close during their time competing for some of the sport’s biggest prizes.
So much so that after Alcaraz lost to Sinner in the Monte Carlo Masters final, he stuck around to watch the Italian celebrate by diving into a pool.
How would you rate that Monte Carlo final out of 10?
Their rivalry is unique in that sense, as their interactions off the court don’t reflect the competitiveness they show on it.
Former world number one Kim Clijsters has now shared her thoughts on the dynamics of their relationship.
Kim Clijsters highlights how much respect Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have for each other
During the latest episode of ‘Love All‘, Clijsters delivered her verdict on Alcaraz and Sinner’s rivalry.
“Definitely, people even talk to me about it,” she said.
“‘It’s kind of weird to see a rivalry where you feel like they are really good friends and there is so much respect for each other.’
“There have been so many rivalries where the players can’t stand each other and try to stay away from each other as much as possible, whereas with these guys it’s like they really embrace and there’s a lot of respect, but they also enjoy…
“Like [Carlos] Alcaraz actually stayed and watched the winner, the guy that just beat him before jumping off the diving board.
“I think I was always pretty good at giving my opponent their moment, but it was also painful, so to go see them celebrate is hurtful at times as well.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head record in finals
| Final | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Monte Carlo Masters | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2025 ATP Finals | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 7-5 |
| 2025 US Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2025 Cincinnati Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 5-0 (RET) |
| 2025 Wimbledon | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 French Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 Italian Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2024 China Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2022 Croatia Open | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 |
“Some people like that they have that, and then there are people who want the rivalry.”
Kim Clijsters warns Carlos Alcaraz about ‘distractions’
Clijsters continued, suggesting Alcaraz is entering an ‘interesting phase’ of his career.
“I also think with Alcaraz, there’s an interesting phase in his career, where he’s not the newcomer having incredible results,” she said.
“I don’t know if it was Juan Carlos Ferrero who did an interview recently, where he said that his biggest hurdle is going to be the fact that he might get bored.
“And, it’s intense, and it’s a long season, and it’s a lot of pressure to always have to compete and put in the work day in day out, and there’s a lot of distractions, especially a guy like that who is super popular at every tournament that he goes to.
“It will be interesting to see if he can kind of stay focused and stay consistent, because his tennis is more than good enough to beat everybody every day, but to mentally stay motivated is something that is a lot easier said than done.
Carlos Alcaraz’s results in 2026
| Month(s) | Tournament | Performance | Match wins |
| January/February | Australian Open | Champion | 7 (Adam Walton, Yannick Hanfmann, Corentin Moutet, Tommy Paul, Alex de Minaur, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic) |
| February | Qatar Open | Champion | 5 (Arthur Rinderknech, Valentin Royer, Karen Khachanov, Andrey Rublev, Arthur Fils) |
| March | Indian Wells | Semi-finalist | 4 (Grigor Dimitrov, Arthur Rinderknech, Casper Ruud, Cameron Norrie) |
| March | Miami Open | Third round | 1 (Joao Fonseca) |
| April | Monte Carlo Masters | Finalist | 4 (Sebastian Baez, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Alexander Bublik, Valentin Vacherot) |
| April | Barcelona Open | Second round (withdrew) | 1 (Otto Virtanen) |
“If your personality is to try new things and enjoy that side of being famous, having all these athletes around the world reach out to you and come watch you play, it can also be a distraction.”
Alcaraz began the year by completing his Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open and won the Qatar Open shortly after.
His form has dipped since, though, and he hasn’t won any of the last four tournaments he’s entered.
Regardless, he remains one of the favourites for this year’s French Open.
“Interesting times, but so fun, with the French Open coming up, to see who will hold that trophy up,” said Clijsters.
“We’re already talking like it’s going to be between the two of them, but we will see.
“A nice win for Jannik Sinner again, Indian Wells, Miami, and now Monte Carlo.”
The 2026 French Open begins on Sunday, May 24.
