MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz, a 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, has been focusing on improving his game during training sessions. He is particularly working on his revamped service motion, all while keeping his rising rival, Jannik Sinner, in his sights. Alcaraz underlines the competitive spirit they share, stating, "The good thing for me is, when I'm seeing him winning titles, when I'm seeing him in the top of the ranking, it forces me to practice even harder every day." This intense rivalry is gaining momentum as both athletes head into the 2025 tennis season following a remarkable year.
Both Alcaraz and Sinner are at the pinnacle of men's tennis, each having won two Grand Slam titles in 2024, making them the leading figures of the new generation after the retirements of legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. With Novak Djokovic as the only remaining member of the so-called "Big Three" still active on tour, the tennis landscape appears to be shifting. Notably, Alcaraz and Sinner's accomplishments in the last season hint at a new era in the sport, in which athletes must overcome either of them to secure titles.
Alexander Zverev, a two-time major finalist and seeded No. 2 at the Australian Open, expressed on the evolving dynamic in men's tennis: "They both won two Grand Slams last year. And they’re the two best players in the world, for sure. And you have to beat them to win the tournament." This sentiment reflects the current competitive environment, emphasizing the significance of Alcaraz and Sinner's rivalry.
Sinner heads into the 2025 Australian Open as the defending champion, fresh off a sensational season where he achieved a 73-6 record with eight titles, including the U.S. Open in September. However, his journey wasn't without controversy, as he faced a doping case resulting from two positive tests for trace amounts of an anabolic steroid. Sinner attributed the issue to accidental exposure during a massage by his trainer, and after being exonerated, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the ruling, leading to a closed-door hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport set for April 16-17.
In 2024, Alcaraz’s season included a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open against Zverev, but he bounced back remarkably by winning titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, where he triumphed against Djokovic for the second year in a row. As both athletes prepare to commence their campaigns, other notable competitors set to participate in the tournament include Aryna Sabalenka, Sloane Stephens, Zheng Qinwen, and Casper Ruud.
The stakes are high for Alcaraz as he aims to win the Australian Open. Achieving this feat would make him the youngest man in tennis history to complete a career Grand Slam, having secured championships at the sport’s four major tournaments. Former player Feliciano Lopez remarked on Alcaraz's impressive accomplishments over the past three years, highlighting the significance of his potential breakthrough.
The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner is already notable and has shown potential to rival iconic matchups such as Federer vs. Nadal or Djokovic vs. Nadal. Sinner acknowledged this growing interest, mentioning, "You have more eyes on us, because this is a match most people want to see." As of now, Alcaraz leads their head-to-head encounters with a record of 6-4, including a perfect 3-0 record against Sinner in 2024 while Sinner excelled against other competitors.
In conclusion, both players display a unique mindset when competing against one another. Alcaraz emphasized the necessity of being at his best to contend with Sinner, reflecting the high stakes and competitive spirit that defines their rivalry.
