Carlos Alcaraz has declared himself ready to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings. The Spanish star, who recently pulled out of the Toronto Masters 1000, is now focused on chasing down Jannik Sinner, with the Cincinnati tournament next in line.
Although there is currently a 4,000-point gap between the two, the road back to the top may be more manageable for Alcaraz, as Sinner will have significantly more points to defend in the remaining months of the season. That dynamic leaves the Italian with little room for setbacks.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Alcaraz explained that he had taken a few days off in preparation for the American hard-court swing. He noted that last year, following the Olympics, he had struggled to find his best form and failed to achieve strong results. As a result, he pointed out, he has fewer points to defend this time around and intends to give his all in the upcoming tournaments to collect as many ranking points as possible.
He acknowledged Sinner’s mental toughness and fighting spirit, saying he believed the Italian would not be affected by the pressure of defending points. Still, Alcaraz said he was ready for the challenge, and emphasized that his main goal at the moment was to return to the top of the ATP rankings. He added that he was currently training intensively to be in peak condition ahead of the US Open.
Despite reaching many of his targets this season, Alcaraz admitted that he still reflects on the contrasting outcomes of the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals – both of which featured Sinner as a key figure. He said he often wondered how he had managed to turn the match around at Roland Garros, and reflected on the importance of believing in oneself, especially in difficult moments. According to Alcaraz, tennis is a long and mentally demanding journey, where players are often alone with their thoughts, and the ability to stay mentally strong had been crucial in Paris.
Speaking about Wimbledon, Alcaraz praised Sinner’s performance and said he had given everything he could. He expressed satisfaction with his overall progress and journey, even if the results had been mixed.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz expressed hope that his rivalry with Sinner would continue to develop. He suggested that such a rivalry would benefit not only their personal growth but also tennis as a whole, attracting more fans and inspiring others to take up the sport. He remarked that their encounters, including the most recent clashes at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, were eagerly anticipated and pushed both players beyond their limits.
Alcaraz also highlighted the mutual respect that exists between the two off the court. He said that while tennis allows for intense competition during matches, it also fosters friendships outside of them. He described Sinner as a good friend and a great person, and expressed confidence that their strong relationship would endure, regardless of how their on-court rivalry evolves.
