Jannik Sinner opens up about his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz ahead of Roland Garros final

A new chapter in the heated rivalry between World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will unfold on Sunday, June 8, as the two young stars square off for the 2025 Roland Garros crown.

With Novak Djokovic as the last active member of the iconic “Big Three,” the golden era of rivalries featuring Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic is fading into the past. Tennis is hungry for a new marquee clash, and Sinner versus Alcaraz is shaping up to be just that—a rivalry destined to define a generation.

As the highly anticipated Roland Garros final approaches, Sinner spoke about his dynamic with the 22-year-old Spaniard. “It’s fun and not fun,” Sinner quipped when asked about facing Alcaraz. “It’s both ways, but I think we try to push ourselves in the best possible way. I believe when there is a good match, it’s also good to play. It’s not only to watch, but also to play. It’s very special”.

“And the stage, it doesn’t get any bigger now. Grand Slam finals against Carlos, it’s a special moment for me and for him, too,” he continued. “He won here last year, so let’s see what’s coming. But for sure, the tension you feel before the match and during the match is a little bit different in a way, because we are both very young, we are both different, but talented”.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the trophy as he celebrates victory alongside runner up Jannik Sinner of Italy following the Rome Open final. (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Currently, Alcaraz leads their head-to-head with seven wins to Sinner’s four, including victories in major finals like Beijing (2024) and Rome (2025). Sinner’s lone final win came at Umag in 2022.

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Alcaraz’s take on Sinner

Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in the Rome Masters final earlier this season, knows the Roland Garros final won’t be easy, especially with the Italian yet to drop a set in the tournament. “He’s the best tennis player right now,” Alcaraz said of Sinner. “I mean, he’s destroying every opponent”.

The Spaniard also highlighted how much he values their battles, explaining that they push him to his limits and help him grow as a player. “I love that battle. But most of the time, it’s just about suffering, because [he pushes] you to the limit,” Alcaraz noted.

“It gives you feedback on how I can be a better player,” he continued. “I think that’s important, and that’s beautiful. Even if I win or not, it gives you a lot of stats and feedback”.