(Video) Carlos Alcaraz and Carlos Sainz Chat About Scheduling Comparisons Between Tennis and F1

Carlos Alcaraz is expected to headline the Qatar Open, which begins on February 16.

(Video) Carlos Alcaraz and Carlos Sainz Chat About Scheduling Comparisons Between Tennis and F1

Carlos Sainz and Carlos Alcaraz chatted about scheduling (via X/Formula 1/The Tennis Letter/Formula Directa)

In Short
  • Carlos Alcaraz visited Carlos Sainz during F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain to discuss the differences in their sports seasons.
  • Alcaraz withdrew from the Rotterdam Open, forfeiting 500 ranking points after winning the Australian Open.
  • Alcaraz is set to headline the Qatar Open, his first tournament since the Australian Open victory.

Carlos Alcaraz, who kick-started his season with an Australian Open triumph, visited his fellow Spanish sporting star, Carlos Sainz, during the F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The two stars who are aiming to begin their respective 2025 season in style had a good chat where they talked about the difference in their sports seasons.

Alcaraz made history on the 1st of February after beating Novak Djokovic to win his seventh Grand Slam on tour at the Australian Open. In the process, he became the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam on tour, establishing the fact that a new era has begun in the men’s circuit following the Big 3 rivalry.

The 22-year-old was meant to be at the ongoing Rotterdam Open, but withdrew from the tournament just days after winning the Melbourne Grand Slam. His withdrawal meant he forfeited 500 ranking points, which he was supposed to defend at the tournament after winning it last year.

With time to spare, Alcaraz paid a visit to the Williams garage to meet Sainz before going to Aston Martin’s garage to meet Fernando Alonso, a two-time winner of the F1 World Driver’s Championship. However, during his time with Sainz, both Spanish superstars had a great conversation. In a video trending on X, he was seen talking to Alcaraz about the length of the sports season.

Sainz revealed that the Formula 1 season is far less than the professional tennis season. Alcaraz, who has been an advocate for a shorter tennis season on tour in the past few years, nodded in affirmation:

We have 24 weekends a year. You guys, [are] probably 30.

Last season, the length of the tennis calendar was one of the major debates, with the likes of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, questioning why tournaments have to be played every week with no room for rest for players until November, when the season finally comes to an end but begins the following year in January.

Last season, Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from two tournaments due to injury. He sustained an injury during the Barcelona Open last April, which prevented him from playing at the Madrid Open, which he won in 2023. He tweaked his ankle in Japan, and that made him pull out of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to headline the Qatar Open draw

Carlos Alcaraz is expected to headline the Qatar Open, which will kick off on February 16. It will be his first tournament on tour since winning the Australian Open. He will be the top seed at the tournament, with Jannik Sinner expected to be the second seed. Sinner didn’t participate in the tournament last year as he was serving his three-month suspension for doping.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

Neither Alcaraz nor Sinner has ever won the ATP 500 tournament in Qatar. Alcaraz competed in the tournament last year but exited in the quarter-finals after losing to Jiri Lehecka in three sets. At one moment in the match, he was just one game away from beating the Czech Republic star, but he failed to serve for the win.

Novak Djokovic, who hinted at retirement, will not participate in the tournament despite competing last year. He lost to Matteo Berrettini in his opening match at the event, exiting early. The 38-year-old is World No.3 and looks likely to stay in that position only if Felix Auger-Aliassime gets another brilliant run on tour.

Alexander Zverev, who withdrew from the ongoing Rotterdam Open, is expected to return to the tour in Qatar. The World No.4 crashed out in the semi-finals of the Australian Open after losing to Alcaraz in five sets. The 28-year-old is seeking his first title on tour since the Munich Open last April in his home country, Germany.

Also Read: Iga Swiatek Accused of Unsportsmanlike Conduct During Qatar Open Match Against Maria Sakkari – “Such a Cheater!”