Jannik Sinner says rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz just the tonic that tennis needs

PARIS – Jannik Sinner believes his battle for supremacy with fellow French Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz could become the defining rivalry of their era, and it is something the sport needs with its golden generation of players calling time on their careers.

The world No. 1 beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) in a generational battle on Court Philippe Chatrier on June 6 to deny his Serbian opponent a record 25th Grand Slam.

The 23-year-old Italian, who is seeking his fourth Slam title, booked a mouth-watering clash on June 8 with Alcaraz, who aims to retain his Roland Garros title and add a fifth Major crown.

With Djokovic now the only active member of tennis’ “Big Four” who also included Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray and yielded a collective 69 Slam titles in more than two decades, Sinner sensed an opportunity for himself and Alcaraz.

“It takes time to compare us with the Big Three or Big Four, no? Only time can tell, to be honest,” he said.

“For sure, from my point of view, he’s (Alcaraz) a player who makes me a better player.

“He pushes me to the limit. We try to understand where we have to improve, for the next times I play against him.

“I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries. This could be potentially one of them, but there are amazing players coming up. There can be so many different and other players joining. You never know.”

The French Open final on Court Philippe Chatrier will mark only the 12th time that Sinner and Alcaraz have faced off, with the 22-year-old Spaniard looking for a fifth straight victory over his opponent to retain his title.

Sinner also said that he and Alcaraz had a similar aura and could get more fans interested in the sport.

“He’s a player with charisma, with that aura,” he said. “The moment he steps on court, you can feel his presence.

“In the end, that’s exactly what tennis needs. The more people like that, the more players like that, the better.

“The stage, it doesn’t get any bigger now. Grand Slam finals against Carlos, it’s a special moment for me and for him too.”

Alcaraz, meanwhile, promised a spectacular final against Sinner after advancing past an injured Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals.

“It’s going to be a really great Sunday, I think, for the fans of tennis,” he said.

“Jannik, he’s the best tennis player right now. I mean, he’s destroying every opponent through (to) the semi-final,” he added of the three-time Grand Slam winner, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament.

When the dust settles on Court Philippe Chatrier on June 8, the past six Grand Slam titles would have been shared by the two new dominant forces of the men’s game.

On paper, based on their recent meetings, Alcaraz is the favourite.

He beat Sinner in five sets in the semi-final on his way to the title at Roland Garros in 2024.

Alcaraz also won in May in the Italian Open final, as Sinner made his return from a three-month doping suspension.

REUTERS, AFP