Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have both enjoyed a perfect week of preparation for the French Open in Rome, but in the end it was the former who came away with the title.
A sixth consecutive match proved just one too many for the world number one, who was returning from a lengthy absence from the sport after Sinner was banned for three months.
Still, he fought valiantly and picked up some hugely impressive victories on his way to the Italian Open final, but once he lost that opening set tiebreak, the writing was on the wall.
Speaking about how his rival performed both in the final and throughout the week, Carlos Alcaraz looked ahead to Roland Garros.
Carlos Alcaraz rates Jannik Sinner’s Roland Garros chances
Asked to rate his chances if he is to face Jannik Sinner again in Paris, Alcaraz replied: ’Well, I know the first tournament after a long period without any matches in the back is always tough. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for him because I haven’t been in his position. I would lie if I tell that I feel him, that I understand him, because I have never been in that position to be in good shape, to be ready physically, and not be able to play a match.
‘The level he has played in this tournament is insane after three months without playing, without any tournaments. I mean, what he has done, it’s amazing. I mean, it’s something that I have to have respect on that.
‘I’m pretty sure he’s going to be better and better. This week of practising, he’s going to feel better. If he’s winning in Roland Garros and he’s going farther, I think much better he’s going to feel.
‘He’s going to be dangerous. He’s going to be a really dangerous player in Paris. We’re going to be both in both parts of the draw, so let’s see. But I’m pretty sure he’s going to feel much better in Roland Garros.’
Alcaraz now boasts an even larger winning record across his 11 matches against Sinner, having won seven of their official meetings and all of their last four.
And, crucially ahead of Roland Garros, the 23-year-old has not beaten him on clay since 2022.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts to Federer, Nadal and Djokovic comparisons
The reporter then wondered if his rivalry with the Italian, which already has had 11 enthralling iterations, bears any similarities to the ones Rafael Nadal shared with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic: ‘He’s the best player in the world.
‘It doesn’t matter that he was out of the tour for three months. Every tournament he’s playing, he plays great. The numbers are there. I mean, he wins almost every match he plays. That’s why I’m even more focused when I play against him.
‘If I don’t play at my best, 10 out of 10, it’s going to be impossible to beat him. That’s why I’m more focused when I’m playing against him, or I feel a little bit different when I’m going to face him than other players.
‘I think obviously for the rest of the players are the same when they are facing Jannik. It’s of different feeling. He has that aura. When you’re seeing him at the other side of the net, it’s kind of different.
‘That’s why obviously I’m feeling that the people are putting so much, let’s say – how can I say – pressure in a certain way to both of us when we are facing each other.
‘I’m not going to say I’m feeling like when Rafa and Roger are playing, but I’m feeling like is a different energy when we are facing against each other than other players.’
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