“I won’t miss him this week”: Carlos Alcaraz sends honest message on Jannik Sinner rivalry

Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 23:30

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Carlos Alcaraz arrived at the Barcelona Open with little time to reset after one of the defining matches of his season, having fallen 7-6(5), 6-3 to Jannik Sinner in the Monte-Carlo Masters final last Sunday. The defeat cost the Spaniard both a Masters 1000 title and the World No. 1 ranking, which passed to Sinner following the result.

Two days later, the 22-year-old responded on court, opening his campaign in Barcelona with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Otto Virtanen. Speaking in Spanish during his pre-tournament press conference, Alcaraz addressed both the immediate turnaround and the broader implications of his rivalry with Sinner.

The context amplifies his comments. Monte-Carlo, the Masters event that most closely mirrors Roland Garros conditions, offered a direct benchmark on clay. Sinner’s victory not only extended his dominance at Masters 1000 level but also reinforced a shift in momentum at the top of the ATP rankings.

Alcaraz’s comments come in a clear competitive context. The Spaniard arrived in Monte-Carlo as defending champion and World No. 1, but lost the final to Sinner, who overtook him at the top of the rankings. In Barcelona, a tournament Alcaraz has already won twice, the immediate objective is equally defined: a title run this week would be enough to reclaim the No. 1 position.

“I won’t miss him this week”: rivalry defined by respect and competition

Alcaraz described his relationship with Sinner as respectful but not personal, highlighting a dynamic that has become central to the ATP Tour. While their rivalry continues to intensify on court, their interactions away from competition remain stable.

He made clear that their connection is built on mutual respect rather than friendship, a distinction that allows both players to compete without altering their approach outside the match environment.

“Jannick and I have a very good relationship. Obviously it’s not personal, we don’t go out to dinner or lunch together, but the relationship we have off court is very good," Alcaraz said in Spanish during his press conference. "He has a team around him who are very good people, and he is too. Beyond what we are fighting for on court, our way of being off court is not going to change, and that shows in the respect we have for each other.”

At the same time, Alcaraz acknowledged the intensity of repeatedly facing the same rival at the highest level. While Sinner’s presence has pushed him to improve, a temporary break from that dynamic can also be beneficial.

“He is one of the players who makes me better. He makes me realise my weaknesses and what I have to focus on in every training session and every match. That’s why it’s very nice to have him as a reference… but I’m not going to miss him this week.”

Mental fatigue and lessons after Monte-Carlo

Alcaraz also addressed the mental demands of the tour, particularly following his recent stretch of tournaments. His comments revisited the emotional challenges that have surfaced at different points this season, including visible frustration during matches.

He pointed to emotional control as one of the most difficult aspects of elite competition, noting that reactions during matches are not always deliberate.

“On court, one of the most complicated things is controlling your own emotions," the 7-time Grand Slam champion mentioned. "Sometimes you react at the slightest thing and say things you don’t even think about. Then you realise the importance of the words you say, even though many times you didn’t think about it.”

He linked those moments to mental fatigue accumulated over long stretches of competition, particularly when external factors and tournament environments add to the pressure.

“There are many times when in certain tours or matches I arrive a bit mentally saturated, because of what happens off court or the environment around the tournament. There are times when you arrive mentally more tired than expected, and when tough matches come, there is a moment where it becomes very difficult.”

Barcelona, ranking race and clay-court outlook

The Barcelona Open now represents an immediate opportunity for Alcaraz to respond, both in terms of results and rankings. A title this week would allow him to reclaim the World No. 1 position, adding further significance to his campaign on home soil.

Despite that scenario, Alcaraz insisted that his focus remains on incremental improvement rather than short-term outcomes. His preparation continues to centre on refining specific aspects of his game rather than making structural changes. “We have very clear things that we need to put into practice in training and in matches. They are not big things, but small details, small shots that can make the difference.”

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He also addressed the broader balance in his rivalry with Sinner, rejecting the idea of a clear favourite regardless of surface. Even on clay, traditionally considered his strongest ground, he sees the contest as evenly matched.

“People can say that I am more of a clay player than him, but he has beaten me on all surfaces and I have beaten him on all surfaces. When we play against each other there is no favourite, it doesn’t matter if it’s grass, hard or clay.”

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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