Carlos Alcaraz Welcomes Jannik Sinner's Return to ATP Tour, Anticipates Potential Rivalry Renewal
Carlos Alcaraz has voiced his strong approval of rival Jannik Sinner's return to the ATP Tour, emphasizing the Italian's importance both for his own competitive drive and for the sport of tennis itself.
Sinner, the current World No. 1, is making his comeback at the Italian Open in Rome, his first tournament appearance since January following a three-month doping suspension.
The tennis community was taken aback when the 23-year-old Sinner, a three-time Grand Slam champion, tested positive for the banned substance clostebol on two separate occasions in 2024. This resulted in a suspension that sidelined him until now. His return on home soil at the Foro Italico marks a significant moment as he looks to move past the controversy.
Alcaraz, Sinner's contemporary and prominent rival, shared his candid thoughts on the Italian's return with Tennis Channel. "It is great, honestly. I see him around and for me it’s great to have him back," the Spaniard remarked. He highlighted the positive impact Sinner has on his own performance: "Honestly I am going to say I need him on the tour! He pushes me to be a better player, to give my 100% percent every day just to be better.”
Beyond personal motivation, Alcaraz stressed Sinner's value to tennis globally. "Of course, I always defend tennis. And I think tennis needs him to bring new fans. His tennis is huge. He is insane. I love watching him play," Alcaraz stated. "So having the chance to see him and watch his tennis again, it is great. I am just really, really happy. But it is not a different feeling. Just great for me, for tennis and for the fans here in Rome.”
Regarding a potential on-court reunion at the Italian Open, Alcaraz and Sinner are positioned on opposite sides of the tournament draw. This means the earliest they could face each other would be in the final, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash, their first since meeting in China in October 2024.
Alcaraz has already commenced his Italian Open campaign successfully, securing a victory over Dušan Lajović. This win marked his 25th tour victory of the current season, the highest tally among all players. It was also his first match back since the Barcelona Open, having recently withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to an injury.
Sinner is set to begin his tournament against Mariano Navone, where he is expected to receive a fervent welcome from his home crowd as he re-embarks on his professional career.
