Carlos Alcaraz On Rivalry With Jannik Sinner: 'Gives Me The Opportunity To...'

Last Updated:July 14, 2025, 02:16 IST

Carlos Alcaraz sees his rivalry with Jannik Sinner as a catalyst for improvement after losing the Wimbledon final. Despite the setback, Alcaraz stays positive and focused.

Carlos Alcaraz congratulates Jannik Sinner after Wimbledon final (AP)

Carlos Alcaraz emphasised that his intense rivalry with Jannik Sinner will push him to new heights after his quest for a third consecutive Wimbledon title was thwarted by the relentless Italian on Sunday.

Alcaraz was defeated 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 by Sinner in the All England Club final, ending his hopes of securing another Wimbledon crown.

It was a significant setback for the 22-year-old, who had aimed to replicate his epic French Open final triumph against Sinner in June with another victory over the world number one.

Instead, it was Sinner who lifted the trophy, securing his third title in the last four Grand Slams.

While Sinner has won the 2024 US Open and both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, Alcaraz has only claimed the Roland Garros title in the same period.

However, the world number two believes that competing with Sinner is beneficial as it pushes him to elevate his game.

“I’m just really happy about having this rivalry with him. I think it’s great for us, and it is great for tennis," Alcaraz said.

“Every time we’re playing against each other, I think our level is really high. I think we don’t watch a level like this, if I’m honest with you. I don’t see any player playing against each other, having the level that we are playing when we face each other."

The El Palmar-native also predicted that his battles with the 23-year-old Sinner will continue to improve.

“As I said many times, this rivalry, it’s getting better and better. We’re building a really great rivalry because we’re playing the finals of a Grand Slam, the final of Masters tournaments," he said.

“It’s going to be better and better. Just really grateful for that because it gives me the opportunity to give my 100 percent every practice, every day.

“Just to be better, thanks to that. The level that I have to maintain and I have to raise if I want to beat Jannik is really high."

How Sinner Beat Alcaraz?

Alcaraz’s career-best 24-match winning streak was ended by Sinner, who was also the last player to beat him at Wimbledon in 2022, before inflicting more misery in Sunday’s final.

Rather than feeling sorry for himself and letting his form decline, as he did after losing to Novak Djokovic in the Paris Olympic final last year, Alcaraz is determined to ensure there will be no lingering effects at the US Open in August.

“It’s a different feeling. Last year in the Olympics I was really bad emotionally after the match. It was really hard for me to accept that moment," he said.

“I think in the last year I’ve been through in different situations that I learned from them. I accept everything that is coming to me."

Despite losing in the title match of a major for the first time, Alcaraz vowed to stay positive.

“Like, okay, I lost a final in a Grand Slam, but I have to be really proud about being in a final. I want to keep the good moments and try to forget the bad moments," he explained.

“So right now I’m just, as I said, I’m not bad at all. I’m just happy. I’m smiling because in my head it was about playing the final and being grateful for that."

(With inputs from AFP)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...

Read More

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News sports Carlos Alcaraz On Rivalry With Jannik Sinner: 'Gives Me The Opportunity To...'