“I won't miss him this week" - Carlos Alcaraz relieved to skip another test against Jannik Sinner with Barcelona Open campaign set to commence

Carlos Alcaraz will look to banish at least some of his woes and frustrations from his failure to defend the Monte-Carlo Masters title with a deep run in the Barcelona Open. Back on home soil, he has shared his relief that the world number one, Jannik Sinner, has not made the trip.

This time last week, Alcaraz was still on top of the world, looking to reclaim the glory that he enjoyed 12 months ago in Monaco. He would storm into the final where, finally, the rivalry against Sinner would have a chance to continue. The stakes were very high. Along with a Masters 1000 title, the chance to be world number one.

Sinner would grab at the opportunity in a final where both players did not find their best level, struggling with the conditions. While this was the case, Sinner adapted better and took his chances which saw him win a fourth Masters 1000 title in a row and continue his incredible current form.

It was a huge disappointment for Alcaraz whose form right at the start of the season seems like a distant memory. No ATP success since the Qatar Open and a painful loss to Sinner for only the second time on clay gives him much to think about as he looks to get used to his new home as world number two.

Speaking ahead of the tournament in Barcelona, Alcaraz was in full praise of Sinner and how he needs to improve every day to keep on pace. “Jannik is one of those players who makes me a better player," he commented. "He makes me realise my weaknesses, what I really need to focus on in each practice session and each match, so I try to improve every day. It's great to have him as a focal point and to see him achieving all that he's achieving.”

It is an ominous sign when Sinner states that the clay swing is not one of his favourites. Already with a Masters 1000 title, last year he reached the final of the Rome Open and Roland Garros, spurning three championship points in a thrilling final against Alcaraz.

“Honestly, I'm glad to see Jannik improving,” Alcaraz said. “He has openly said that the clay swing wasn't his favourite because of his playing style. Seeing the results he’s getting and the level he’s showing on clay makes me happy, because he’s the player who makes me improve, makes me stop and think about how I can be better, and what I need to work on to try and beat him.”

Their rivalry can be rather unpredictable at times. Both were favourites to defend their respective Wimbledon and US Open titles, but it went the other way, in the end favouring Alcaraz who snatched back the world number one spot at Flushing Meadows. With their talent spread among all the surfaces, it can be a challenge to pick an outright favourite, adding more spice to the rivalry.

“He’s beaten me on every surface, and I’ve also beaten him on every surface. When we face each other, there's no favourite regardless of the surface, so we'll see how this clay swing goes. Hopefully it'll be like last year.”

Monte-Carlo Masters is a thing of the past now for the seven-time Grand Slam champion. Back home in Spain, he will be hunting for a brace of titles. First up and the current motive is to reclaim his Barcelona Open title. After doing the double back in 2022 and 2023, he has gone two years without success in Catalonia, losing last year's final to Holger Rune.

He will be the number one seed in a strong field featuring the likes of Lorenzo Musetti, Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev and Arthur Fils. However, the standout name not in the field is Sinner. The Italian has opted not to compete this week, skipping the tournaments in Barcelona and Munich to freshen up ahead of the Madrid Open.

Alcaraz was not too disheartened that his rival was not there. “I won't miss him this week,” Alcaraz joked. “I saw that I have to win the tournament here if I want to get the No. 1 back. I think the battle between Jannik and myself is great. I think it probably provides extra motivation."

As he said, if the 22-year-old does leave with silverware, he will be back on top. While he is defending titles at the Rome Open and French Open, he is defending nothing from the Madrid Open after pulling out last year due to an ankle injury. While Sinner is also defending nothing thanks to his doping suspension, if Alcaraz can win the tournament it would stand him in good stead ahead of the other title defences and extend the gap to his Italian foe.

On paper it looks simple, but it is easier said than done. “We're focused, and my mind is set on trying to stay on the path we're on, trying to keep improving," he stated. "We're very clear about what we need to do and put into practice in training and in matches, especially after yesterday's defeat. That’s the main goal, results and points are extra motivation.”

Alcaraz will commence his tournament with a first round tie against Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen. He could be in for a rematch against Sebastian Baez in the second round after the pair met at that stage in Monaco. Either the Argentine or Tomas Machac.