Carlos Alcaraz reiterated Tommy Paul’s remarks regarding Jannik Sinner before the Spanish player faces the Italian in the Indian Wells semifinals.
After defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-1, Alcaraz advanced to the semifinals. Sinner, meanwhile, defeated Jiri Lehecka by 6-3, 6-3 to secure his semifinal position. Paul, who will take on Daniil Medvedev in the other semifinal, talked about Sinner during a news conference. Paul summed up the Italian’s great vein of form with a line he picked up from his trainer.
Paul said: “My fitness trainer taught me a term that they use in Argentina when somebody’s playing unbelievable. It means they say they’re playing naked and he’s (Sinner) playing naked.”
When asked about his thoughts about facing Sinner after his victory against Zverev, Alcaraz repeated what Paul said earlier.
Alcaraz said: “He’s [Jannik Sinner] the best tennis player in the world right now, without a doubt. I mean, I heard some declarations from Tommy Paul that was funny for me—that he’s naked right now (smiling).”
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
At the moment ranked no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 14th of March when he defeated world no.6 Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-1 in the quarter in Indian Wells (draw).
This year the Spaniard has a compiled 10-3 record. Carlos Alcaraz’s best accomplishment of the year was getting to the semifinal in Buenos Aires.
Alcaraz is scheduled to play next in Miami (Miami Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 18th of March.
Tommy Paul in 2024
Now ranked no.17, Paul played his last match on the 14th of March when he defeated world no.9 Casper Ruud 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the quarter in Indian Wells (draw).
Until now, during this year Tommy has managed to achieve a composed 14-4 win-loss record. Paul conquered 1 title in Dallas. Tommy was the finalist in Delray Beach.
Paul will compete next in Miami (Miami Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 18th of March.
Carlos Alcaraz and Tommy Paul fought against each other 4 times. Their record is 2-2. Before, the last time they fought against each other, Carlos Alcaraz won 7-6(6) 6-7(0) 6-3 in the 3rd round in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) in August 2023.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Jannik Sinner in 2024
At the moment ranked no.3 (career-high), Sinner played his last match on the 14th of March when he overcame world no.32 Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-3 in the quarter in Indian Wells (draw).
This season the Italian has a 16-0 match record. Sinner clinched 2 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open and Rotterdam.