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Carlos Alcaraz Ranks Jannik Sinner as World’s Best Player
Top-ranked Jannik Sinner is without a doubt the best player in the world right now, according to Carlos Alcaraz, as the two young players continue to establish the groundwork for a titanic battle.
The 21-year-old world number three, Alcaraz, divided the four Grand Slam events with 23-year-old Sinner last year, winning both the French Open and Wimbledon championships.
Spaniard Improves Head-to-Head Record with Sinner
The Spaniard defeated Sinner three times in as many encounters, improving his head-to-head record with the Italian to 6-4.
The Australian Open and the U.S. Open, which Sinner successfully defended at Melbourne Park last month, were among the 79 matches he won last year.
Jannik’s Current Performance
“Jannik is the best right now,” Alcaraz said Sunday to reporters in Rotterdam.
It’s remarkable because he has only lost four or five games in the last 12 months. I’ve heard the phrase “who’s better out of us?” Some believe I’m better, while others say Jannik is. It’s just talk.
“But for me, I think for a tennis player, we have to face Jannik and he’s winning everything. He’s concentrated every time, so I think he’s the best. He advances to the finals or wins the trophy in every tournament he participates in.
Alcaraz Returns to Amsterdam after Australian Open Loss
Alcaraz returns to action in Amsterdam after his quarter-final loss to 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open ruined his attempt to become the youngest player to claim all four major titles.
“I don’t feel that it was a missed opportunity against Novak,” Alcaraz, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, continued.
“I really wanted to win the championship and felt I was able to, but Novak played a fantastic match. The worst thing would be to play Novak in the Grand Slam quarterfinals.
“The match was quite good. I’ve made an effort to focus on the positive aspects of that game and will now look ahead.
Top seed Alcaraz faces Dutch wild card Botic van de Zandschulp, who defeated him in the second round of the August U.S. Open, to start his Rotterdam campaign.
Jannik Sinner’s ATP 500 Championship Departure
The tournament organizers said Monday that world number one Jannik Sinner will not be defending his ATP 500 championship in Rotterdam because the Italian’s “body needs time to rest” following his victory at the Australian Open.
Sinner, 23, won his third Grand Slam championship on Sunday after defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. He had already won the US Open in September and Melbourne the previous year.
ABN AMRO Open’s Result
Sinner posted a statement on the ABN AMRO Open’s website saying, “After consulting with my team, we had to take the difficult decision to withdraw from the tournament.”
“After the lengthy marathon in Australia, my body needs time to recuperate. I hope to return to Rotterdam Ahoy soon since I have wonderful memories of winning the title there last year in front of incredible people.
Grigor Dimitrov, ranked 11th in the world by Bulgaria, will also not be attending Rotterdam because he had to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an injury.
World number three Carlos Alcaraz will lead the field in Rotterdam after Sinner withdraws.
Alcaraz will be joined in the main draw by Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, and Andrey Rublev, all of whom are ranked in the top ten.
Defeated Alexander Zverev in match
As a prospective tennis great, Jannik Sinner departs Melbourne, but not before facing a hearing at the sport’s top court over his doping charge, which might result in a two-year penalty.
In a match between the top seeds, the Italian easily defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 on Sunday to win back-to-back Australian Opens and solidify his position as the undisputed world number one.
Italian Tennis Player, Cristiano Ronaldo, Faces Doping Issue
He quickly established his claim to greatness by winning the US Open the previous year.
However, a serious doping issue that should soon come to an end has plagued the 23-year-old’s career for the last nine months.
In March of last year, he tested positive twice for residues of the steroid clostebol; nonetheless, an independent panel found him not guilty.
The World Anti-Doping Agency is requesting a two-year ban after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The hearing for the Italian, who denies intentionally doping, is scheduled for April 16–17.
Sinner claims that the medication got into his system after his physiotherapist treated a cut with a spray that contained it, after which the player had sports treatment and massage.
Sinner, who has won 21 straight games, stated that he was certain of his innocence but acknowledged that the subject is always on his mind.
Sinner “deals with it as well as anybody that I’ve ever seen deal with pressure,” according to Darren Cahill, one of his two coaches, who stated in Melbourne that “nobody’s bulletproof.”
“I think to a large extent he finds playing tennis matches to be his safe place,” Cahill said.
“He can go there and do what he does and feel that this is what he is excellent at, what he knows, and what he understands.
“It’s become a home for him to step on to the court and play tennis.”
The French Open, the year’s next Grand Slam, begins in May, one month after the CAS hearing.
Despite being the undisputed master of hard courts, Sinner has not advanced past the semifinals of either Wimbledon’s grass or Roland Garros’ clay.
When Sinner remarked, “It’s for sure one thing I always think about,” following his most recent victory at the Australian Open.
“You must be a complete player on all three surfaces, not just one.
“I think both on clay and grass, last year was not a horrible season at all. Yes, I am capable of doing better, but let’s see.
“I feel more at ease on a hard court. After becoming the youngest man to go back-to-back at Melbourne Park since Jim Courier in 1993, he continued, “I think that we can see.”
I see it as a positive because I still need to work on the other surfaces and see how it goes.
“I’m going to put a lot of energy in that, attempting to find the right ways, and hopefully to go far also in the other Grand Slams that aren’t played on hard court.”
A second Djokovic?
Given his age, Sinner still has plenty of time to make his case for greatness, according to Simone Vagnozzi, his other coach.
He is 14 years younger than the current 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Zverev referred to Sinner as “prime Novak” following their crushing defeat in the final on Sunday.
The now-retired tennis greats Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20 Slams) continued to play until their mid- to late-30s.
“He has already triumphed in three significant competitions. He is undoubtedly the guy that strives to get better every day, but you never know what the future holds,” Vagnozzi added.
He’s one of the individuals who can make it to the top, in my opinion. In other words, when we talk about elite level, we think of Roger, Rafa, or Novak.
“We remain a long way, but for sure (he) is one of the guys that can try get to this kind of player.”
