Carlos Alcaraz on Jannik Sinner rivalry: ‘We push each other to the limit’ | ATP Tour

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Alcaraz on Sinner rivalry: ‘We push each other to the limit’

Spaniard visits TODAY with fellow US Open champ Sabalenka

September 10, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz was riding high Monday in New York.

The Spaniard, fresh off claiming his sixth major trophy at the US Open, enjoyed a rooftop photoshoot in front of the Manhattan skyline to celebrate his second triumph at Flushing Meadows. 

The 22-year-old became one of only three men in the Open Era to claim six Slam titles before turning 23, joining Bjorn Borg and countryman Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz achieved the feat by defeating rival Jannik Sinner, against whom he owns a 10-5 Lexus ATP Head2Head advantage.

Fans dreamt of a final between Alcaraz and Sinner inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and that is what they got. This was the pair’s third consecutive major final, after Alcaraz won Roland Garros and Sinner earned revenge at Wimbledon.

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^{Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images}
Alcaraz was asked about his rivalry with Sinner on NBC’s TODAY show, which he visited with US Open women’s singles champion Aryna Sabalenka.

“For me it’s great,” said Alcaraz, who explained how battling Sinner helps him improve. “I think we push each other to the limit every time. My practices are just focused to see how I can be better just to beat Jannik. So I think the rivalry, it is special, splitting Grand Slams, fighting for the great things.”

Alcaraz also recaptured No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings from Sinner by beating the Italian on Sunday. The new World No. 1 owns a 61-6 record this season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index and will try to carry his momentum into the final two months of the season.

A winner of seven titles this season, Alcaraz is in great position to earn ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours for the second time (2022).