Carlos Alcaraz is the China Open champion, having won his first ATP title in Asia whilst also making further history.
After all, in beating Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz became the first player in history to win an ATP 500 title on three different surfaces.
The records he continues to smash are already cementing his legendary status within the sport, but he attested that things were far from easy when facing the world number one again.
Carlos Alcaraz reviews his China Open final vs Jannik Sinner
Speaking to the press after securing his sixth ATP title of the season, Carlos Alcaraz sought to review the magical match he had just won against his chief rival.
Reviewing the affair, he admitted: ‘Well, I’ll start saying that when Jannik and I face each other, I think it’s a really good thing for tennis because we always show a really intense match, really close match, great points, great rallies.
‘I think for the people who don’t watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches, they’ll start to watch tennis or even practice it. I think it is pretty good.
‘I try to enjoy as much as I can playing against him, but it’s not easy. I’m really happy. I mean, when you’re able to beat one of the best, if not the best tennis player in the world, obviously it seems like you’re doing the right things, you’re doing the right work.
‘I’m proud of myself with everything I’ve done the last month, working really hard physically, on the court as well. It has been an intense month. But really happy to end it up with the trophy here in Beijing, with a really incredible match.
‘I think both of us show a really high level of tennis, high level mentally, physically until the last ball running from side to side, showing really good rallies, really good points in the tiebreak of the third.
‘I’m really happy to be able to get that win at the end.’
Jannik Sinner sent an instant message to Carlos Alcaraz straight after the final, congratulating his rival.
A fit and firing Carlos Alcaraz is unstoppable
Aside from his blip at the US Open, which can very easily be attributed to his deep run at the Olympics, this has been a near-flawless year from the Spaniard.
And, he has also proven that, when at his best, he is the true best in the world, regardless of who holds that number one spot.
That was made especially clear yesterday, given the match always felt like it was in the palm of his hand.
Despite dominating the first set, a loss of concentration gifted it to the Italian.
However, when Alcaraz locked in, some of the tennis played was mesmerising, mixing up lethal ball striking with lobs, drop shots and wicked slices that his opponent could not handle.
It’s fair to say that, when it comes to consistency, Jannik Sinner rules the roost at the moment.
But, with the unpredictability of the 21-year-old, his highs can take him beyond that level, just as his lows can drag him under it.
Alcaraz now has a 3-0 record against Sinner in 2024.
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