Carlos Alcaraz dismisses being “close friends” with Jannik Sinner but claims they have “really good relationship”
Carlos Alcaraz had an interesting answer when asked about his relationship off the court with his biggest rival Jannik Sinner.
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Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Images via X)
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner enjoy a good rivalry and it shows whenever they face each other on the tennis court. But do they share any off-court relationship? Alcaraz was asked this question following his win over the Italian in Beijing on Wednesday (October 2).
Alcaraz beat his biggest rival on the tour 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in three hours and 21 minutes to clinch the China Open title. When asked if he is friends with Sinner off the court, he had an interesting answer. The 21-year-old said that while he cannot claim to be close friends with Sinner, he stated that they share a really good relationship.
Well, we don’t talk too much when we are around, obviously. We have a really good relationship off the court as well. I think we both respect each other a lot, as a player, as a person, but once we are on tour traveling, you know, during tournaments when we are on site, we are with our team on our own, so we don’t speak too much…We have a good relationship, but we are not close friends.
Carlos Alcaraz said
Alcaraz and Sinner share mutual respect and never shy away from sending congratulatory messages to each other. Recently, when Sinner won his maiden US Open title win, Alcaraz applauded the Italian in a post on social media.
Jannik Sinner loves pushing Carlos Alcaraz to the limits
While there is mutual respect and admiration, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz never go easy when they are up against each other. The China Open final was the latest example of how the two push each other to the limits on the court.
Sinner emphasized this fact after losing to his rival for a third time in as many meetings this year. The World No. 1 said that although he did not win, he was thrilled to be a part of the match. Sinner further talked about his rivalry with Alcaraz and said that he was honored to share the court with the Spaniard.
I feel like it’s always great when we meet. We try to push ourself and each other to the limits. He for me is a [reference] point of where I work. It’s always nice to share the court with him. I feel like also the fans, they like it. Usually, the matches are quite long, they’re physical, there are many turning points. Feel privileged and honored to share the court with him.
Jannik Sinner said (H/T: ATP Tour)
The two players have played ten matches against each other so far and Alcaraz leads the head-to-head record 6-4. While it was a cut-throat competition till the start of 2024, the two wins- at Roland Garros and the China Open have given the four-time Grand Slam champion an edge.
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)