Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook
Keep your eye on the ball is the golden rule of tennis.
Where Roland Garros the hero Carlos Alcaraz he doesn’t check the next ball on the court, he usually watches another Grand Slam champion—Jannik Sinner— on TV.
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Wimbledon winner Alcaraz, who continues to defend at Queen’s Club the British No Jack Draper in episode 16, he says he likes watching Sinner play.
“Yes, of course. As I have said many times, I love to watch [Sinner] play,” Alcaraz told reporters in London when asked if he was watching the world No. 1 Sinner in the Halle. “I mean, his style, it’s really amazing to watch. I mean, he’s really aggressive. I like this type of players.
“If I can, I will definitely watch his games, and I will follow the tournament in Halle and the tournament they are playing now, but it should be a good time for me.”
The latest chapter of Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner The rivalry saw the Spaniard drop eight of the first 10 games before roaring to a five-set victory to reach the Roland Garros final earlier this month.
More: Alcaraz Edges Sinner in Roland Garros Final
After the red dust settled on Alcaraz’s 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory that lasted four hours, nine minutes, Sinner was asked for his thoughts on the electrifying rivalry in the match.
Australian Open champion Sinner sees change as a constant in this changing rivalry.
Pointing out that both young couples are capable of making mid-match adjustments, Sinner said their next game will be tactically different from today’s five-set saga.
“I think we learn from each other very well. You can see a little tension sometimes from both players and both sides because we know each other little by little,” Sinner told the press in Paris. “Every time we play we expect a few things, and you know, putting plans together, you know, you make different decisions sometimes on the court.
“I think next time will be different next time. Let’s see where we play. Again, that’s very important. Best of three or best of five is also different. You know, Grand Slam, there’s a different way. But I think it’s fun, and I’m looking forward to the next one.”
World No. 2 Alcaraz is a lifetime 5-4 vs. Sinner also improved his five-set record to 11-1 following his last-gasp win over Alexander Zverev, while the Italian second seed dropped to 6-8 in five-set matches.
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook
