Jannik Sinner Reveals If He Calls Arch-Rival Carlos Alcaraz His Friend: “It’s a Bit Different”

Before the ATP Finals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner practiced together, sat together for multiple interviews, and also joked about each other. Clips of these did rounds on social media to the delight of their fans.

In the championship match, they faced each other, and this time, Sinner did not let the Spaniard dominate him, winning the match in straight sets to improve his head-to-head record to 6-10. At the press conference, a journalist asked him whether he would call his arch-rival his friend.

Of course, I believe that Carlos has great friends and I have great friends, too. You tend to go a bit more in the national team because it’s normal. You spend more time with Italians. I do have also other players I feel very close to: Jack Draper, Reilly Opelka, these kind of friendships. I feel they’re honest, and you can get along very well. But with Carlos is also a bit different because of on-court reasons.

It was Alcaraz’s second defeat to Sinner this year, following the Wimbledon final. Prior to the ATP Finals, they faced off in the finals of the Italian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open.

We have a very good relationship, rivalry, call it however. I feel like we can talk about everything still. I think it’s great. We are good friends off the court. We do respect us in a very healthy way. Also, the teams, my team, get along very well with them. I think it’s a good harmony.

Jannik Sinner added

For Alcaraz, it was the 11th final of the season, and he will end the season with eight titles. But he won’t be leaving Italy, as after Turin, he will be in Bolona for the Davis Cup Finals, which starts on November 18. Alcaraz has never lifted the Davis Cup titles, and last year, Spain suffered defeat at the hands of eventual runners-up Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Spain will lock horns with the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.

Sinner, who helped his team win the prestigious title in the previous two seasons, has decided to withdraw from it. He wants to start his pre-season early and take an extra week off.

Jannik Sinner praises Carlos Alcaraz after the ATP Finals

Had Carlos Alcaraz not reached the semifinals and Jannik Sinner won the ATP Finals, the latter would have ended the season as the year-end No.1. As this did not happen, Sinner, despite the win, has dropped to the second spot.

Amazing season, Carlos. Amazing what you’re doing. The whole team. I know it’s a lot of work. A lot of great, great memories you’ve made for your career. Well deserved for the year-end World No.1.

Jannik Sinner said during the trophy presentation

Sinner stayed at the top for a week after his back-to-back wins at the Vienna Open and the Paris Masters. The Italian was dethroned following his US Open defeat to the six-time Grand Slam champion.

Sinner is now on a 31-match winning streak on the indoor hardcourts, as the last time he suffered a defeat was at the hands of Novak Djokovic in the title clash of the 2023 ATP Finals. Since then, Sinner won the Rotterdam Open, last year’s ATP Finals, and this year’s Paris Masters and the ATP Finals.

Sinner’s winning streak on the surface is the sixth longest in the Open Era, and before him stand John McEnroe, Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Ivan Lendl. He did not drop a set en route to his title defense. Alcaraz has so far just one indoor hardcourt title to his name- this year’s Rotterdam Open, which he won by defeating Alex de Minaur.

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

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