During a press conference, Jannik Sinner was asked about his relationship with Carlos Alcaraz and whether the two could be considered friends. The Italian reflected on the nature of camaraderie in tennis and how the sport has evolved over time.
Sinner’s perspective on player relationships
Sinner explained that in earlier eras, players often spent more time together outside of competition. “Well, I feel like we had this conversation a bit with Darren. He used to play back in the day. Players, they used to go dinner, having dinner together, because the teams were not as big. It was maybe player plus one. You tend to be a bit more together. You open up yourself. You tell stories in the locker room. I still feel it’s a bit like this. You have your more favorite not players but friends in the locker room. You talk a bit in different ways.”
Friendships beyond national ties
Sinner acknowledged that national teams naturally create closer bonds, but he also highlighted friendships with players outside Italy. “Of course, I believe that Carlos has great friends and I have great friends, too. You tend to go a bit more in the national team because it’s normal. You spend more time with Italians. I do have also other players I feel very close to: Jack Draper, Reilly Opelka, these kind of friendships. I feel they’re honest and you can get along very well.”
The special bond with Alcaraz
When speaking about Alcaraz, Sinner emphasized the unique dynamic between them. “But with Carlos is also a bit different because of on-court reasons. We have a very good relationship, rivalry, call it however. I feel like we can talk about everything still. I think it’s great. We are good friends off the court. We do respect us in a very healthy way. Also the teams, my team, get along very well with them. I think it’s a good harmony. In the same time there’s also the work and all the rest behind, which it’s all about balance.”
A healthy rivalry
Sinner’s words underline the balance between competition and friendship. His relationship with Alcaraz is marked by respect and mutual admiration, showing how rivalries in tennis can coexist with genuine camaraderie off the court.
Jannik Sinner in 2025
WWWWWWWWWW Currently the world no.2, Sinner played his last match on the 16th of November when he beat world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(4) 7-5 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals to win his 25th career title.
Until now, during this year Sinner achieved an overall 58-6 record. Jannik has won 6 titles in 2025 at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Beijing, Vienna, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. The Italian was the runner-up in Rome, French Open, Cincinnati and U.S. Open.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2025
LWWWWLWWWW Now ranked no.1, Alcaraz played his last encounter on the 16th of November when he lost to world no.2 Jannik Sinner 7-6(4) 7-5 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Currently, during this season Carlos has a composed 71-9 record. Carlos has won 8 titles in 2025 in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, Rome, French Open, London, Cincinnati, U.S. Open and Tokyo. Alcaraz was the finalist in Barcelona, Wimbledon and the Nitto ATP Finals.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz fought against each other 17 times. Their current record is 11-6 for Alcaraz.
