Carlos Alcaraz confirmed that he felt certain changes in Jannik Sinner's game and also acknowledged that it was "really difficult" to play against the Italian in the ATP Finals final.
Earlier this year, Alcaraz claimed wins over Sinner in the Rome, French Open, and US Open finals, while the Italian won their Wimbledon title match. Following a four-set defeat to the Spaniard in the US Open final, the Italian tennis star didn't hide his unhappiness a bit and directly shared with reporters that he would try to do some things differently against the Spaniard next time - even if it took him some time to implement changes.
On Sunday, they met in a main-level match for the first time since the US Open. And Sinner ended triumphant after registering a tight 7-6 (4) 7-5 win over Alcaraz to clinch back-to-back ATP Finals titles.
Alcaraz asked if he felt something different in Sinner's game
"Obviously I felt the improvements of Jannik. I said many times, I think a player like him, he always come back stronger from the loses. He always learn from the losses. Once again, he has shown everybody that he did it. Especially in the serves, putting so much pressure on you. It's really difficult to play against him obviously," the six-time Grand Slam champion answered.
Sinner absolutely dominated this past indoor season, going undefeated and taking the Vienna, Paris Masters and ATP Finals titles.
On the other side, there had been certain doubts about Alcaraz's indoor game, especially after he lost his opening match in Paris to Tallon Griekspoor.
"First of all, I never doubt about myself. I never doubt about my level on indoor court. I didn't doubt about playing and fighting toe to toe with Jannik on indoor court," the world No. 1 underlined.
Despite the ATP Finals final defeat, Alcaraz still leads the head-to-head against Sinner 10-6.
