Sinner is experiencing a remarkable surge of success as he has carried his momentum from the latter part of the 2023 season into the 2024 campaign, winning 32 out of his last 34 matches.
The 22-year-old has remained unbeaten in 12 matches this year, starting the season by securing his first-ever Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open. He continued his winning streak by clinching the Rotterdam Open title on Sunday.
Sinner’s triumph in Rotterdam has also propelled him to a career-high No. 3 ranking in the ATP Rankings, making him the highest-ranked Italian male player in history. He now trails Alcaraz, who holds second place, by a mere 835 points.
Alcaraz, who has suffered defeat in his last two encounters against Sinner, believes that players must reach an extraordinary level of performance if they wish to stand a chance against him.
“Jannik is currently in a very favorable moment,” the Spaniard stated. “His tennis level demonstrates his confidence. He is an extremely diligent worker, and it’s no surprise that he has reached this point.
“To defeat him, one must perform at an exceptional level. I am happy for him because he is a genuinely good person, and his success pushes me to improve and give my best.”
While Sinner celebrated a title victory last week, Alcaraz was shocked in straight sets during the semi-final of the Argentina Open by Nicolas Jarry.
The two-time Grand Slam champion has not won a title since his Wimbledon triumph in July of last year. He admits that he needs to enhance his concentration during matches.
“I must continue to work on it, as it has not improved since 2023,” he admitted. “It is something I must do, and there is no other way.
“For me, concentration is of utmost importance, as my level of play is dependent on it, as well as my attitude and energy. In these matches, I have experienced a few fluctuations that I cannot afford.”
Alcaraz will return to the court at the Rio Open on Tuesday, commencing his ATP 500 campaign with a first-round match against Tiago Montero.
According to the Source tennis365.com