Alcaraz on Rivalry: We Don't See A Level Like This

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, July 13, 2025
Picture credit score: Clive Brunskill/Getty

The world’s prime two gamers share a significant mission—and their rivalry will produce extra huge moments, Carlos Alcaraz mentioned.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner dethroned two-time champion Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to make historical past as the primary Italian to seize a Wimbledon singles crown at the moment.

Afterward, Alcaraz praised Sinner for an “unbelievable” efficiency.

The second-ranked Spaniard, who suffered his first main closing loss after going 5-0 in his 5 prior Slam finals, says this Wimbledon showdown is simply the start.

Alcaraz mentioned the rivalry between the pair is unprecedented on the ATP Tour, they’ve mixed to gather seven straight Grand Slam championships, and can solely get stronger as they sq. off in additional finals.

“To start with, I [am] simply actually, actually completely happy about having this rivalry with him. I believe it is nice for us, and it’s nice for the tennis,” Alcaraz mentioned after seeing his 20-match Wimbledon successful streak snapped. “Each time we enjoying towards one another, I believe our degree is basically excessive.

“I believe we do not watch a degree like this, if I am trustworthy with you. I do not see any participant enjoying towards one another, you understand, having the extent that we’re enjoying once we face one another.

“I believe, as I mentioned many, many instances, this rivalry, it is coming higher and higher. We’re constructing actually nice rivalry as a result of we’re enjoying closing of a Grand Slam, closing of Grasp mills, the perfect match on the planet. It is going to be higher and higher.”

The pair produced transcendent tennis with Alcaraz saving three championship factors to prevail in record-setting 5 hour, 29-minute Roland Garros closing final month.

The 22-year-old Spaniard mentioned Sinner’s ultra-high degree of play didn’t shock him.

Alcaraz mentioned finally the important thing to the match was Sinner’s superior second serve—and the actual fact the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion repeatedly attacked Alcaraz’s second serve generally ripping backhand strikes down the road.

Total, Sinner served the next proportion—62 % to 53 %), received 49 % of second-serve factors performed on the Spaniard’s second serve and flipped the script on the superior web participant. Sinner received 30 of 40 journeys to web, in comparison with 17 of 23 web factors for Alcaraz.

“The best way he performed at the moment, it was actually, actually excessive. I did not shock in any respect,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I knew he was going to play like this. So it was about some particulars.

Yeah, I imply, general he did not shock me in any respect as a result of I do know he is an enormous champion…

“I believe the massive key was concerning the second serve. He was returning rather well there the second serve that I used to be hitting. Due to that, he was within the place to assault within the second ball each time. So it was actually tough if you find yourself feeling that you just simply defending on a regular basis and working back and forth on a regular basis.”

Reflecting on his first main closing loss, Alcaraz mentioned he is “grateful” to Sinner as a result of the No. 1 will pressure the No. 2 to enhance his recreation.

“Simply actually grateful for that as a result of it offers me the chance to only give my 100% each observe, every single day,” mentioned Alcaraz, who leads the rivalry 8-5 after Sinner snapped a five-match shedding streak vs. the Spaniard. “Simply to be higher, because of that. The extent that I’ve to keep up and I’ve to boost if I wish to beat Jannik is basically excessive.

“So I simply actually grateful for that.”