Sinner likens his lifestyle to Alcaraz’s: “We are quite similar as human beings”

One can comfortably tell Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz apart on the court, with their evidently contrasting styles of playing tennis. However, Sinner believes he and Alcaraz are ‘quite similar’ off the court.

While Alcaraz brings an element of excitement to the court with his agility and variety, Sinner relies on tiring his opponents away with solid baseline exchanges. And when the two clash on the court, the spectacle is one to behold, just like their recent meeting in the China Open final.

Playing against each other for the 10th time, the two battled for three hours, 21 minutes across three sets of high-octane action, including two tiebreakers. Alcaraz eventually kissed the trophy after having come from behind to win 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3).

Their duties in Asia didn’t conclude in Beijing as they flew to Shanghai for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament. Both players graced an event in Shanghai after the touchdown and seemed to enjoy each other’s company, putting aside the fierce on-court business.

Hours later, Sinner sat down with the press and spoke about the seamless on and off-court transition.

I feel like that for us it’s quite easy because we are quite similar as human beings off the court. On the court we are a bit different, because that’s normal, that’s our nature.”

Jannik Sinner

“Off court, I listen to him, I have the feeling that he likes to surround himself with the close people, which I do. Yeah, I mean it’s, for us, how we live is very normal, you know.”

Sinner’s rivalry with Alcaraz began in 2021 when they met for a Round-of-32 fight at Paris Masters. The Spaniard won that match 7-6 (1), 7-5. Since then, the duo have exchanged blows, bringing their head-to-head tally to 6-4 in Alcaraz’s favor.

“Obviously, on the court we try to beat, we try to put on a big fight, like we always do and we always try,” Sinner added in his press conference. Then at least he pushes me to do better, which is something good, where then I try to improve my game in the next days or in the off-season, you know, you’re going to practice for that. Off the court, you know, we are quite similar.”

Interestingly, Sinner’s transition with Alcaraz after the hard-fought China Open final began only hours later as they boarded the same flight to Shanghai.

Sinner and Alcaraz will get their respective Shanghai Masters campaigns underway on Saturday. They have received byes in the first round and are set to roll second round onwards.

The Italian is the seed No 1 and will take on Japan’s Taro Daniel, whereas Alcaraz, the seed No 3, is pitted against home hero Shang Juncheng.

In his presser further, the world No 1 assured his readiness:

“I haven’t done anything. Me and Carlos, we had a nice event with Nike. We made some appearance there, which was very nice to connect also with some fans. I’m just trying a little bit to rest, I went a bit in the gym, and now today I practice here for the first time. As I said, it’s always special to come back here, and then hopefully I will be ready for tomorrow’s first match.”

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