Jannik Sinner: I wake up trying to understand how to defeat Alcaraz | ATP Tour

Shanghai

Sinner: “I wake up trying to understand how to defeat Alcaraz”

The Italian shares that he and Alcaraz are like ‘fire and ice’

October 04, 2024

Many players dream of reaching the top of the PIF ATP Rankings, visualizing their name as No. 1 in the world. They get up and train many hours in search of being the best in this sport. For Jannik Sinner, that dream has already come true this season, but the Italian still has room for improvement.

At 23 years old, he has been the great dominator of 2024, having won six titles and signed 59 victories. But Sinner has a barometer to continue improving. He has lost three matches in a row against Alcaraz, who leads the Lexus ATP Head2Head 6-4.

The top seed this week at the Rolex Shanghai Masters finds motivation in his rivalry with the Spaniard.

“I feel that – at least I speak for myself – it leads me to do things better. “I get up in the morning trying to understand what I can do better to try to beat him next time, it’s something nice for me as a player,” Sinner told ATP Media. “It’s nice that we are rivals on the court and friends off it.”

The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner has become one of the most interesting duels in recent times. Every time they cross paths, it is almost certainly synonymous with spectacle and high level. That was the case in the China Open final, where Alcaraz ended up winning in the third set tie-break. He did it in a duel with alternatives that dazzled the Chinese fans in three hours and 21 minutes.

Could it be repeated in Shanghai? Sinner and Alcaraz would meet in the semifinals. Of course, despite their fierce fight on the court, off the court they maintain a good relationship.

“I feel that off the track we are quite similar, because we surround ourselves with our people, we are with the team. There are many, many similar things. On the track, we are different,” said the Italian. “He is the one who brings the fire, the big hits, he plays with the public. It’s a little different. I’m more of a solid player, pretty calm, so it’s like fire and ice. But it is a nice combination.”

“It also shows that everyone is different. “I think I have to keep something of him as a player, sometimes try different shots, which I feel makes me grow as a player,” he added.

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In his second participation in Shanghai, the Italian aims to improve on last year’s fourth round. A lot has changed for the 16-time ATP Tour title champion in the last year. Not only for having become No. 1 in the world, but also for having won two ATP Masters 1000 (Miami and Cincinnati) and two Grand Slam trophies (Australian Open and US Open).

“The level of trust is at a different time now. I feel like when I go out on the track, I feel safer,” Sinner warned. “Playing on a center court now, let’s say, is normal. Before, it was something new and it had an effect when it came out. Now, even though it’s incredible, I enjoy it more. “It’s a place where I feel very, very comfortable.”

Sinner aims to be the first player to win three ATP Masters 1000s in one season since Rafael Nadal did so in 2018. If he wins his fourth crown in this category, Sinner will join Novak Djokovic (2015) as the only player to win Shanghai while No. 1 in the world.

“I’m at a good level now, but I will always try to aspire for more,” said Sinner, who will debut this Saturday against Taro Daniel.