Sinner on the rivalry with Alcaraz: “We try to push ourselves to the limit” | ATP Tour

Beijing

Sinner on the rivalry with Alcaraz: “We try to push ourselves to the limit”

The Italian reflects on his week at the ATP 500 in Beijing

January 01, 0001

Jannik Sinner suffered a painful defeat on Wednesday night in the final of the China Open against his rival Carlos Alcaraz. But despite the pain of losing in the final set tie-break, with the ATP 500 trophy at stake, the Italian was able to look back positively.

“It’s always nice to participate in these types of matches. Obviously, I was disappointed that it didn’t go the way I wanted. These types of matches can be back and forth. But it wasn’t my day,” declared Sinner. “He played better in the important moments. That’s all. I’m proud again of a great week, of reaching the final here. Last year I won here. It’s a place where I love to play for sure, so I’m already looking forward to it.” May it arrive next year.”

The Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner, which the Spaniard now leads 6-4, has become one of the most captivating in all of sport. Sinner explained his appreciation for competing with such a tough opponent.

“I think it’s always great when we face each other. We try to push each other to the limit. He is a point for me [de referencia] where I need to work,” Sinner said. “Also, today I saw a couple of things I need to improve on. “It’s not just him, there are other players too.”

“It’s always nice to share the court with him. I also feel like the fans like it. Normally the games are quite long, they’re physical, there are a lot of turning points… It’s always nice. I feel privileged and honored to share the court with him. As I said, we both try to win. We try to concentrate on every point. Having a great attitude on the court, that always makes it a very interesting game.”

Watch the Extended Highlights of the final:

Sinner came into the final tie-break having won 18 of his previous 19 tie-breaks, including one in the first set of the final, according to Infosys ATP Stats. But Alcaraz overcame a 0/3 deficit to win.

“The margins are very small. In tie-breaks, the small margins seem very big. And that’s it. You have to accept it,” Sinner said. “We have to keep working on a couple of things. I won a lot of tiebreakers in the last period of time. This one, I missed it. That’s it. Everything is fine.”

The 23-year-old couldn’t say exactly where this match ranks on the list of the best he’s ever played. But he said he is “without a doubt” in the top five.

“7-6 in the third in a final, it’s always tough. I’ve had great games in the past, although I’m still young as a player,” Sinner said. “But yes, I’m always happy to live new experiences, try to grow. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That’s what this sport is like. There are very high moments and other very low moments. Everything is good.”

“My season is being very, very consistent, very good. We try to continue building and working for the rest of the season. Now in the next tournament, it is a very important tournament for me because it is only the second time that [estoy] playing there, but I haven’t reached the final stages of the tournament yet. “I’m already trying to concentrate there and I hope to finish the season in a very positive way.”

Now Sinner will quickly turn his attention to the Rolex Shanghai Masters, where he will chase his seventh title of the season and continue his efforts to claim the ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF. 1 Alcaraz leads him by 2,820 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

“Shanghai is completely different because the situation is different. I hope to get into the rhythm quite quickly. It will surely be a tough match in the first round. In all tournaments it is difficult to play the first round,” said Sinner. “Surely there are things I can improve. We will work on it, always trying to be a better player and also a better person. Furthermore, the work never stops.”