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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are all set to write the sixth chapter of their exciting rivalry in the semi-finals of the 2023 Miami Open. The World No. 1 has remarked that despite the competition, the two players share a great relationship off the court.
The Spaniard defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-2 in the quarter-finals on Thursday, March 30, to inch closer to his quest to become the youngest player to complete the Sunshine Double. He extended his winning streak to 10, all of which have been straight-set affairs since his loss to Cameron Norrie in the final of the Rio Open.
The 19-year-old has now won 18 out of the 19 matches that he has played this season. Asked to comment on his off-court relationship with 11th-ranked Sinner, Alcaraz responded in the positive, calling the Italian a "nice guy," which is important in the eyes of the top seed.
"We have a good relationship outside the court. You know, we wave to each other, we talk," Carlos Alcaraz said. "When we are off the court, we practice a few times together as well. Yeah, he's a really nice guy. I think that's really important as well, to be a nice person. Of course, yeah, we share a lot of great moments outside of the court."
Alcaraz leads 3-2 head-to-head against Sinner, with their last meeting coming in the semi-finals of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells earlier this month. The duo have already produced some thrilling encounters, increasing the expectations of the tennis world for an epic rivalry in the future.
After their five-set nailbiter in the 2022 US Open quarter-finals, Juan Martin del Potro compared their rivalry to that of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
"It will be the Federer-Nadal of the next few years," del Potro said.
Carlos Alcaraz agreed and added that Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and himself could become the next Big 3.
"There's going to be a really nice rivalry with Sinner. Our games are worth watching, and we're good friends like Rafa and Federer. Sinner, Zverev, and I could make the future Big-3," he said.
Carlos Alcaraz makes me a better player: Jannik Sinner
After defeating Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Miami Open, Jannik Sinner stated that Carlos Alcaraz made him a better player and he was looking forward to their clash.
"I would be happy to play against him again because I look forward for these kind of matches. As I said there, I feel like he makes me a better player," Sinner said.
The Spaniard beat the 21-year-old Italian 7-6(4), 6-3 in the semifinals of the 2023 Indian Wells a few days ago.
