Jannik Sinner Sends Huge Warning to Carlos Alcaraz, Targets Return to World No.1 Ahead of the Australian Open

Jannik Sinner cannot return to World No.1 at the Australian Open.

Jannik Sinner Sends Huge Warning to Carlos Alcaraz, Targets Return to World No.1 Ahead of the Australian Open

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

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The Australian Open is just around the corner, and there are so many storylines to get into. One of the stories revolves around Jannik Sinner, who is the two-time defending champion at the event.

Speaking on the Nine Channel, Sinner fired warning signs at his great rival, Carlos Alcaraz, claiming that he is targeting a return to World No.1. The Italian lost the top spot to his young rival after losing the US Open final. Sinner speaking on the Australian network Nine, said:

Getting back to number one is definitely one of my big goals for the season. It’s going to be tough to get back there, but I’m happy to give it my all. Starting the season here is always great: you can feel the enthusiasm Australians have for this sport.

Sinner finished the 2024 season as World No.1, winning two Grand Slams, three Masters 1000 titles, and the ATP Finals. Although he was on the same level as last year, arguably, he lost three months of action due to the doping suspension he served between February and May.

Consequently, he was relieved of many ATP points, including Miami and Rotterdam, where he was the defending champion. He returned to action at the Italian Open in May, where he lost to Alcaraz in the final.

Jannik Sinner hopes to emulate Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open

Jannik Sinner has history on the line at the Australian Open. The Italian is bidding to become only the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. He added:

I know I’ve trained really well before arriving here. The preseason has been fantastic, and I feel great physically. You always start the season with some doubts, that’s normal for a tennis player, but I’m also starting it with a lot of confidence because of the results I’ve achieved here in the past. I’m really looking forward to starting to compete here.

Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Danny, Jannik Sinner HQ)

Sinner won the first Grand Slam of his career at the 2024 Australian Open. The Italian dismantled defending champion Djokovic in four sets in the semifinals. After that, he came back from two sets down to extinguish Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Last year, he found it relatively easy. Sinner lost only two sets throughout the entire tournament and was dominant, including a straight-set win over Alexander Zverev in the final.

Djokovic has won three consecutive Australian Opens on two occasions (2011-2013 and 2019-2021). He also has the record for the most consecutive Australian Open match wins (33).

Jannik Sinner looks forward to the continuation of the rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz

World No.2 Jannik Sinner is looking forward to seeing the return of his competitive rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz. The duo have dominated the men’s tour in the past two years. He continued:

Of course you think about it (the rivalry), but at the same time, if we continue to be number one and number two, the only way we’ll face each other is in the final, and there’s a long way to go to get there. The rivalry motivates me, and I’m happy to be a part of it.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (5)
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

Sinner and Alcaraz have swept the last eight Grand Slams. They have also won a combined eight Masters 1000 titles during this timespan, with Sinner also collecting both the ATP Finals titles.

Although the dominance has been astonishing, Alcaraz has had Sinner’s number for the majority of the last two seasons. The Spaniard has taken down his elder rival in three of the four Grand Slam battles in the last two seasons, including two five-set epics at Roland Garros.

Sinner, though, would be feeling good about his chances at the Australian Open. After all, he is the defending champion and also took down Alcaraz in their last meeting at the ATP Finals.

Also Read: Holger Rune Exposes the Truth Behind Jannik Sinner’s Unstoppable Rise