Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Warned Their Relationship Could Get ‘Turbulent’ over Time

Mark Petchey cannot be convinced that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were “mates” when they were playing because, at that time, they were “stealing each other’s dreams“. Petchey, however, has no doubt that the fierce rivalry has taken a backseat after their retirements.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have also forged a cut-throat rivalry, though, off the courts, quite a few photos and videos make them seem as though they are best friends. They have immense admiration and respect for each other, but their bond, believes Petchey, could turn “turbulent” over time. He told Express Sport:

They have a lot of respect for each other. It can last as long as not too many inflammatory situations crop up in matches, or you say the wrong thing, potentially something that they’re going to get offended by.

Alcaraz currently leads the head-to-head lead 10-7 but lost their last two meetings, including in this year’s Monte-Carlo Masters final. After Monte Carlo, the Spaniard played in Barcelona and injured his wrist, and is currently nursing the injury.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets a little bit more turbulent as it goes through at times, and then I think it will go back to kind of where it is. We live in a world of media saturation. At some point, probably something’s going to get said or done that neither of them loves that much, but I think the respect is too great that they’ll overcome any difficulties that they potentially have.

Mark Petchey added

Because of his injury, Alcaraz was forced to skip the French Open and will also not be competing at Wimbledon, where he made the final in the previous three seasons. It was Sinner who denied him the hat-trick of the grass-court Major last year.

Greg Rusedski on who, after Jannik Sinner, is the favorite to win Wimbledon

In Carlos Alcaraz‘s absence, Jannik Sinner will be playing at Wimbledon as the heavy favorite to win the title. And as per Greg Rusedski, the second-favorite is Novak Djokovic, saying this is the best chance for the Serb to finally lift his 25th Grand Slam title.

He’s my second pick for the title. We compare him to Serena Williams because he’s been playing all year and he’s still a full-time professional. Let’s not forget he beat Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open in January. Nobody thought he was going to win that match. And then against Alcaraz, he got off to a brilliant start in the final, but then Alcaraz just put the accelerator on. Now he’s only got to be one of the big two.

Greg Rusedski said on his Off Court with Greg podcast

The 24-time Grand Slam champion entered the semifinal of this year’s Australian Open as the underdog, but he shocked the tennis world by knocking out two-time defending champion Sinner. Nole snapped his five-match losing streak against the World No.1. Alcaraz later stopped him from winning his 25th Major and became the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, was last seen in action in the third round of the French Open, where he lost a thrilling five-set match to Joao Fonseca. The day before Djokovic’s exit, Sinner suffered a shock five-set defeat at the hands of Juan Manuel Cerundolo. He last won a title at the 2025 Hellenic Championships.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, however, has already clinched five trophies this season (in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome). His win in the Italian capital made him the second man, after Djokovic, to complete the Career Golden Slam.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Declares Clean Bill of Health Ahead of High-Stakes Wimbledon Title Defense