Carlos Alcaraz has issued a clear warning to his rival Jannik Sinner ahead of the US Open. Speaking before the tournament, he suggested that Sinner, now world No. 1, has a “target on his back” after dominating hard-court Slams in recent years. Alcaraz admitted he is already thinking about a potential showdown with the Italian in New York.
Their rivalry has become the biggest storyline in men’s tennis. Sinner has collected the last three major titles played on hard courts, and Alcaraz is eager to halt that streak. The Spaniard believes he is ready to challenge Sinner’s grip on the surface and reclaim momentum in their head-to-head battles. Alcaraz said in his US Open press conference:
[Winning here] would be a great thing to do. The past three Grand Slams on hard courts, he won. It’s been unbelievable the tennis he’s bringing on hard courts. So I just look up to him in some way just to be ready if I have to face him somewhere.
Last year’s US Open was a disappointment for Alcaraz. He arrived fatigued after a grueling summer that included a run to the Olympic final in Paris, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. The result was an early exit that left fans surprised and the Spaniard frustrated. He added:
It’s going to be great. I’m just getting ready for the tournament, just to do a good result, hopefully meet him in the final. It would be a great result having a good run here. If I beat him, much more… He has a big target, his back!
This season, his build-up has been smoother. Alcaraz faces a tricky first-round clash with Reilly Opelka, whose powerful serve is dangerous in early rounds. If he advances, the path won’t get easier, with former champion Daniil Medvedev looming as a possible third-round opponent.
The storyline around the World No.1 ranking between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz has moved ahead of Jannik Sinner in the live ATP Rankings, but the official world No. 1 position remains unchanged for now. Sinner still holds the points he earned from winning last year’s US Open, and those will only drop once this year’s tournament ends. If he defends his title in New York, his top ranking will be safe.
