Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis player, a four-time Grand Slam champion and currently ranked world No. 3, recently spoke about his ongoing rivalry with Italian Jannik Sinner, the world`s top-ranked player.
“Sinner is the best player in the world, even though he hasn`t been competing for three months,” Alcaraz stated. “He plays well in every tournament he enters and wins almost every match. Facing him makes me even more focused. If you don`t bring your absolute best level, it`s impossible to beat him. He has a certain aura about him. I wouldn`t necessarily compare the feeling to when Rafa [Nadal] and Roger [Federer] played each other, but there`s definitely a distinct energy when Jannik and I meet on court.”
Looking ahead to the next major tournament, Alcaraz highlighted the significance of recent results. “Now, all the attention is on Paris; everyone is focused on `Roland Garros`. Winning against Jannik and winning in Rome… these achievements provide a huge boost of confidence,” he said during a press conference. “I always say that playing a final isn`t just about competing for the title, it`s about winning it. I am very happy right now. I plan to enjoy this moment with my family, team, and friends who are here from home. I`ll take a few days to rest and truly appreciate what I`ve accomplished. That`s important too. Afterwards, I will shift my full concentration to `Roland Garros`.”
Alcaraz also offered insights into his emotional state and approach to matches this season.
“Honestly, I feel completely different now,” he admitted. “My approach to matches has changed, and it`s something I am very proud of. I feel like I`ve found the right path again. Previously, I used to get very nervous during matches and struggled to control my emotions as effectively as I do now. I was too fixated on the results and the pressure to win. Now, I approach things from a completely different perspective. I am happy and proud of the way I am living and competing.”
