Carlos Alcaraz Brushes Aside Injury Concerns After ATP Finals Defeat to Jannik Sinner: “He Deserved It”

Carlos Alcaraz has ended the season as the No.1 player with eight titles from 11 finals.

Carlos Alcaraz Brushes Aside Injury Concerns After ATP Finals Defeat to Jannik Sinner: “He Deserved It”

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

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Carlos Alcaraz has made it clear that injury did not stop him from playing to his full potential when he was up against Jannik Sinner in the title clash of the ATP Finals. The win helped the Italian improve his head-to-head record to 6-10.

Alcaraz received treatment for a hamstring problem during the first set and returned to play with his leg taped. During the press conference, Alcaraz said the issue did not hamper his movement.

Well, I mean, I felt something in the hamstring after trying to catch one serve. I could say didn’t affect me too much, to be honest, because I could run well, I could go to the balls well. Obviously, the thoughts about how is going to be if I do crazy things that I’m used to doing, how it’s going to be, those thoughts were in my mind sometimes. But I could play well.

The win improved Sinner’s indoor hardcourt winning streak to 31, as prior to the ATP Finals, he won titles at the Vienna Open and the Paris Masters. The last time he lost a match on the surface was in the summit clash of the 2023 ATP Finals against Novak Djokovic.

Don’t get me wrong, because I’m not going to say I could play better or I could do something better if my hamstring were well. I could play a really good tennis with it. The loss is because he deserved it.

Carlos Alcaraz added

It was Sinner’s second win over the six-time Grand Slam champion in their last nine encounters. The first was at Wimbledon this season, where Sinner clinched a revenge win in four sets. Prior to Wimbledon, the four-time Grand Slam champion suffered a heartbreak at Roland Garros at the hands of the 22-year-old.

Carlos Alcaraz on his main goal for the 2026 season

Carlos Alcaraz has made it clear that one of his major goals for the 2026 season is to win the Australian Open. The Murcia native has never progressed beyond the quarterfinal in the Major Down Under. This year, he lost a four-set defeat to 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. He will even be satisfied with winning only the Australian Open.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

Yes, I would be satisfied. Obviously, I want more, but with one… For me, the goal is not to win two or three, if they come, welcome, but the real goal is to at least have one.

Carlos Alcaraz told El Partidazo de COPE

In spite of the defeat, Alcaraz will be ending the season as the No.1 player, all thanks to his 11 finals and eight titles. The trophies that he has lifted also include five Big Titles, that he won at the Monte Carlo Masters, Italian Open, French Open, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open. His last victory came at the Japan Open.

Alcaraz clinched the No.1 ranking this year following his win at the US Open and was dethroned by Jannik Sinner after the latter’s Paris Masters win. The 24-year-old has ended his season at the ATP Finals, skipping the Davis Cup Finals, which start on November 18 in Bolona.

Alcaraz, however, will be featuring in the prestigious team event. Spain will kick-start their campaign against the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. The last time they won the Davis Cup title was in 2019. Last year, Spain lost its quarterfinal tie to eventual runners-up Netherlands.

Alcaraz has only one indoor hardcourt title to his name. Earlier this year, he defeated Alex de Minaur to win the Rotterdam Open. Also, before Turin, he suffered a disappointing three-set defeat to Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the opening round of the Paris Masters.

Also read: Iga Swiatek Recalls ‘Whispering Jokes’ in Jannik Sinner’s Ear During Wimbledon Champions’ Dance