Rennae Stubbs argues back at suggestion which could change the ATP Tour

Follow us on Google Discover

The Italian Open has approached its finals weekend, with mouthwatering matches set to be played at the Foro Italico.

Amongst those matches is a dream final on the men’s side, where Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will renew their rivalry in pursuit of the Rome title.

It’s the 11th career bout between the two ATP players, who last went toe-to-toe with each other at the China Open in October, where Alcaraz beat Sinner.

The Spaniard and the Italian meet for the first time in a Masters 1000 final – an event which some have been calling for to make a return to its old format.

Former Australian tennis player John Millman took to social media to say that Masters 1000 finals should go back to best-of-five set matches, something that his compatriot Rennae Stubbs is completely against.

Rennae Stubbs says Masters 1000 finals should not return to best-of-five sets

In response to Millman’s suggestion on X, Stubbs responded: “No no no no no no! They play enough already, John.”

“They’re already beating each other up, they’re playing 20+ ball rallies and then trying to be ready for a tournament in a week.”

“I LOVE a 2 1/2 final or 3 hours match, especially if Alcaraz and Sinner play at their best. It’s enough.”

Prior to 2008, most Masters 1000 finals were contested in best-of-five set matches, but since then they’ve all been best-of-three.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record ahead of maiden Masters 1000 final clash

Sinner and Alcaraz have faced each other ten times throughout their careers, with the defending Roland Garros champion currently leading their head-to-head record 6-4.

Their first matchup came at the Paris Masters in 2021, where Alcaraz opened his account in their rivalry, earning a straight sets victory over his opponent in the Round of 32.

Sinner took two consecutive victories over Alcaraz in their next couple of meetings at Wimbledon and the Croatia Open in 2022, before the four-time Grand Slam champion got one back at the US Open the same year.

Their next five matches all came in semi-finals, the most notable of which came at Roland Garros in 2024, where Alcaraz emerged victorious before going on to win the title.

With their last three bouts going the way of the Spaniard, Sinner will look to earn his first victory over the world number three since 2023.