Alcaraz, on his match with Sinner: "There is no favorite, I know I will need a perfect tennis"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 11 Apr 2026 | 19.04

Carlos Alcaraz talks about Sinner in Monte Carlo. Photo: gettyimages

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There are matches that transcend the world of sports and can be turning points. The final of ATP Masters 1000 Montecarlo 2026 between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner could be considered one of them. Not only because of what is at stake, but also because it symbolizes the rivalry that is defining the present and, probably, the immediate future of world tennis. The Spanish player talked about it in a press conference.

Both players have raised the competitive bar of the circuit to a point where their dominance is becoming structural. In recent tournaments, almost everything revolves around them, but far from getting comfortable, this constant challenge forces them to improve. More than a classic rivalry, what Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are shaping is a parallel evolution: they push each other towards higher levels. The Spanish player was asked in a press conference about his next match in the ATP Masters 1000 Montecarlo 2026, where not only the title will be at stake, but also the number 1 spot in the world.

This is what Alcaraz said about the final against Sinner at the Montecarlo tournament

Immediate preparation: leaving nothing to chance

After his semifinal against Vacherot, Alcaraz didn't hesitate to return to the court to fine-tune his sensations. "I wasn't hitting the ball as I wanted and the serve wasn't working either," he acknowledged. That need to adjust even after winning reflects the level of demand with which he faces each match, as well as the fact that he went to practice after the game.

For the Spanish player, the key is to leave the court with good sensations for the next day. "It's the best I can do to be ready tomorrow," he explained. In a final of this caliber, every detail beforehand matters.

Knowing Sinner, but not giving away clues

The knowledge between them is complete. "It will be our 17th match, I know him quite well," Alcaraz pointed out. However, he avoided revealing any tactical hints: "I'm not going to say the plan here." Beyond keeping secrets, he made it clear that he has closely followed Sinner's progress. "I've seen his matches, I know where he's improved and what he's doing well," he stated. That meticulous preparation is part of the competitive respect they have for each other.

No favorites, even on clay

Although clay courts might tilt the balance towards Alcaraz, the Spanish player himself rejects that idea. "There's no favorite against him," he asserted firmly. For him, everything depends on the level that each can show on that day.

He admits feeling "more natural and comfortable" on clay, but doesn't see it as decisive. "I can lose to him on any surface," he admitted, emphasizing the extreme equality that defines their encounters.

The shared dominance of the circuit

One of the most striking facts is their recent hegemony on the circuit. "We're being very consistent," Alcaraz emphasized, although he avoids falling into triumphalism. "We're not superheroes, we also lose matches," he reminded.

Nevertheless, there is a clear pattern: when they face each other, the level rises. "Every time we play against each other, we raise our level to the maximum," he explained. That mutual demand is what has made their clashes the most anticipated.

Learning even in defeat

Beyond victories, Alcaraz focuses on both players' ability to evolve. "Every time we lose, we learn and come back better in the next tournament," he stated. That mentality is probably the basis of their consistency.

He also acknowledges that the circuit is getting closer. "Other players are gradually catching up with us," he warned without specifying who, in a broader view that avoids any sense of absolute domination.

Adapting to become a champion

In an increasingly demanding tennis landscape, Carlos Alcaraz defends the importance of mastering all surfaces. For him, the difference between a great player and a champion lies in adaptation. "A true champion is someone who can play well on any surface," he explained. And in that journey, his closest rival, Jannik Sinner, is not just an obstacle but the mirror he constantly measures himself against. Because in this rivalry, there are no favorites. Just two players pushing each other to the limit. A great battle is looming in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 Montecarlo 2026.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz, sobre su duelo con Sinner: "No hay favorito, sé que necesitaré un tenis perfecto"

Carlos Alcaraz