Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s friendship away from tennis is in stark contrast to their epic rivalry on the court.
The two men often speak highly of each other, and Alcaraz and Sinner even practiced together before the ATP Finals.
Alcaraz and Sinner have met in several high-profile finals in 2025, including at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, but it never spills out of the tennis court.
Some fans have criticised Alcaraz for his warmth toward his greatest rival, suggesting it could get in the way of his quest for tennis glory.
Rick Macci shares misconception about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Tennis Hall of Fame coach Rick Macci has downplayed Alcaraz and Sinner’s friendship, and suggested it will not change anything when they get on the court.
Taking to X, the former coach of Andy Roddick and Serena Williams wrote: “Carlos is a happy go lucky guy and nice to everybody including Sinner.
“When people chirp and say he is too friendly with Sinner they do not understand the highest level of competition and greatness.”
The tennis coach believes their friendship goes out of the window when they get on the court. “When the bell rings, greatness flips the switch, and it is all about the competition.”
Sinner last locked horns with Alcaraz in the final of the US Open, which saw the Spaniard win his sixth Grand Slam.
Jannik Sinner will likely need to break a two-year streak to win the ATP Finals
Sinner’s dominance on the ATP Tour has only truly been stopped by Alcaraz, who has proved time and time again that he’s got the Italian’s number.
The Spaniard has defeated Sinner in 10 of their 15 matches on the ATP Tour, including seven of their last eight matches.
Sinner and Alcaraz look set to lock horns in the ATP Finals knockout rounds, and the Italian will need to turn around a worrying statistic to beat his rival.
His last win against Alcaraz on hardcourt came in the China Open semi-final in 2023, which the Italian won in straight sets.
Another worry for Sinner is that he is yet to beat Alcaraz on an indoor hardcourt, despite his dominance on the surface.
Sinner and Alcaraz’s sole meeting indoors came at the Paris Masters in 2021, which the Spaniard won in their very first match against each other.
