Casper Ruud Claims Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are Unbeatable When They Play at Their Best

Casper Ruud raced to 2-0 in the first set in the final of the Italian Open on Sunday (May 17). But up against him was the toughest player of the tournament, Jannik Sinner. The Italian overcame a sluggish start to script history with his 6-4, 6-4 win, becoming the youngest man to complete the Career Golden Masters.

Sinner, only the second man after Novak Djokovic to achieve this feat, also previously broke Nole’s all-time record of 31-match winning streak in Masters 1000s. The Italian ace is now on a 34-match winning streak and is also the first home player to win since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

Up against Ruud, the four-time Grand Slam champion now holds a 5-0 head-to-head lead. The Norwegian ace claimed at the press conference that when Sinner, as well as Carlos Alcaraz, play to their full potential, it’s difficult for other players to reach that level.

Me having played all of the top players in the world in my career, when he plays his best, there’s not many that can reach this level, if anyone at all in the world.

Ruud was chasing his second Masters 1000 title following his Madrid win last year. Sinner is now a 10-time champion at this level and is the first man to win the first five Masters 1000 titles of the season.

Yeah, I think definitely those two [Sinner and Alcaraz]. I never played the big three in their prime. I played them in their career, but towards the end of their career. They felt more playable at that time. But I’m sure Roger [Federer], Novak, Rafa [Nadal], 25, 26 years old, was also the same feeling for the other players. I don’t see him getting any worse, unfortunately (smiling). You just have to think that you have to be better and better because he’s also going to get better and better.

Casper Ruud added

Alcaraz, the defending champion in Rome, withdrew due to a wrist injury. He defeated Sinner in the final last year.

Jannik Sinner will be chasing the Career Grand Slam at the French Open

The next major task for Jannik Sinner is to complete the Career Grand Slam at Roland Garros. The 24-year-old finished as the runner-up last year after squandering a two-set lead and three championship points.

The priority now is to recover as much as possible in the next two or three days. There will not be much training, for sure. Regarding tennis, none. As for the physical aspect, we will see. I want to spend some time with my family at this moment, disconnect from tennis, and from Thursday, I will be in Paris to prepare. Now the important thing is to rest.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

Sinner has been playing continuously since the Indian Wells Masters. Although there was uncertainty about his participation in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, he chose to play in every event to test his limits.

Sinner, in fact, is the second man after 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal to win the three Masters 1000s on clay. He is also the first man to win six consecutive Masters 1000 titles, with the streak starting at the 2025 Paris Masters (beat Felix Auger-Aliassime).

This year in Indian Wells and Miami, the South Tyrol native went past Daniil Medvedev and Jiri Lehecka before beating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final. This helped him reclaim his No.1 ranking. In Madrid, Sinner dismantled Alexander Zverev, defeating Sascha for the ninth consecutive time.

The French Open kicks off on May 24th. Sinner will also complete the Surface Slam if he wins the clay-court Major.

Also read: Alexander Bublik Claims Failed Singles Players Compete in Doubles: “It’s Not Tennis”