What Carlos Alcaraz heard Jannik Sinner saying before the Italian Open final which he used to his advantage, ‘I have been watching’

Follow us on Google Discover

Carlos Alcaraz has toppled Jannik Sinner at the Italian Open, winning their final clash in Rome 7-6(7-5), 6-1.

Alcaraz has been congratulated by Sinner after winning their evening encounter in the Italian capital after one hour and 44 minutes.

The Spaniard, who was the third seed at the Italian Open, beat top seed Sinner in his first tournament back from a three-month ban.

Sinner won the Australian Open before serving his three-month suspension, with Alcaraz having fallen at the quarter-final stage in Melbourne.

But he now has three ATP Tour titles to his name in 2025 so far, having also triumphed in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo.

What Carlos Alcaraz heard Jannik Sinner say before Italian Open final

Sinner meanwhile will continue his search for a second success of the season elsewhere, with both players now on 19 career titles.

Discussing their latest clash, Alcaraz referenced what he had heard from Sinner beforehand, noting on Sky Sports Tennis: “I have been watching his matches throughout the whole tournament so I knew he said he was struggling a bit physically the last matches, running with some physical problems.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner told he made a ‘huge error’ in the first set against Carlos Alcaraz which ended up hurting him badly in the Italian Open final

“So I tried to show him that it is going to be really, really tough to put in good rallies. Tactically I had to be really ready for long rallies and a long match and I think that helped me a lot.”

Carlos Alcaraz pinpoints ‘turning point’ of Italian Open final win vs Jannik Sinner

Sinner can be forgiven for not being 100% both physically and mentally in Rome, having just returned from a three-month suspension.

But he will have gained more and more confidence from each win, with the Italian Open support having been unsurprisingly strongly behind the home favourite all tournament.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz has achieved something only Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt can match after winning the Italian Open final

Alcaraz meanwhile has also had his issues in recent times, having skipped the Madrid Open before Rome with injury.

But he managed to overcome that leg problem to secure a seventh ATP Masters 1000 title thanks to his battling performance against Sinner, having saved two set points in their opener.

Discussing the turning point of the match, the Spaniard said: “It was probably the turning point of the match. I tried to stay calm in that moment.

“Facing 15-40 and two set points against Jannik is not easy. Seeing him at the other side of the net, it is difficult to deal with but I am happy to save them and stay calm. Just went for it all the time and I am going to say that was the turning point.”