Carlos Alcaraz hailed Jannik Sinner's hard-court level as "unbelievable," but also warned the world No. 1 that he "has a big target on his back" at the US Open.
For quite some time now, the Spaniard and the Italian have been entering Grand Slams as by far the two biggest favorites for the title. The story is the same at the start of the last Major of the year.
Since 2024, Sinner has won four Grand Slams (back-to-back Australian Open, 2024 US Open & 2025 Wimbledon), while Alcaraz triumphed on three occasions (back-to-back French Open & 2024 Wimbledon). Evidently, the Italian is a bigger force on hard courts, while the Spaniard typically has the edge at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz: I hope to meet Sinner in the US Open final... He has a big target on his back
"The last three Grand Slams on hard courts, he (Jannik) has won, right? It's unbelievable the tennis he brings on hard courts. So I just look up to him in some way, just to be ready if I have to face him somewhere. It's going to be great. I'm just getting ready for the tournament, just to get good results. Hopefully, I will meet him in the final," the Spaniard said.
After dropping some major praise on Sinner, the 22-year-old also had a warning for his 24-year-old rival.
"But yeah, it would be a great result having a good run here. If I beat him, then even more so... He has a big target on his back I think the respect we have [for] each other and the good relationship we have off the court, I think is great," the world No. 2 added.
Alcaraz and Sinner have met twice in Grand Slams since 2024 - the Spaniard won their 2024 Roland Garros semifinal while the Italian triumphed in their recent Wimbledon final meeting. Their lone Slam hard-court meeting came at Flushing Meadows in 2022, when the Spaniard won in five sets.
