ATP Tour

No. 1-chasing Alcaraz: Sinner's ‘back is a big target’ at the US Open!

Three years ago, Carlos Alcaraz triumphed at the US Open to seal his first rise to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. This year, the Spaniard will be aiming to do the same to ensure his return atop tennis’ mountain.

Yet Alcaraz would have to snap an impressive streak by his great rival Jannik Sinner in order to oust the Italian from World No. 1. Sinner enters the New York major on a 21-match winning streak at hard-court Grand Slam events, following his triumphs at the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Australian Open, and the 2024 US Open.

“[Winning here] would be a great thing to do,” said Alcaraz on Saturday in his pre-tournament press conference. “The past three Grand Slams on hard courts, he won. It's been unbelievable the tennis he's bringing on hard courts. So I just look up to him in some way just to be ready if I have to face him somewhere.”

In order to leave New York as World No. 1, Alcaraz simply needs to match or better Sinner’s US Open result. That raises the possibility of a winner-takes-all final between the ATP Tour’s best two players on 7 September. It is an occasion that Alcaraz would embrace.

“It's going to be great. I’m just getting ready for the tournament, just to do a good result, hopefully meet him in the final. It would be a great result having a good run here,” said Alcaraz, who holds a 9-5 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead against Sinner, before he light-heartedly added: “If I beat him, much more... He has a big target, his back!”

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The emotions Alcaraz brings into this year’s US Open contrast starkly to a year ago. In 2024, he arrived in New York off the back of a painful defeat to Novak Djokovic in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics, and he was far below his brilliant best when he slid to a shock second-round defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

This time around, however, the Spaniard comes in fresh from lifting his eighth ATP Masters 1000 title at the Cincinnati Open.

“It's much different. I have more time just to have my days completely off, just to recharge my mind, my batteries,” said Alcaraz. “I had two weeks at home practising, but it was at home. So for me, it is an extra that I got those days at home, and then going to Cincinnati with more happiness, let's say, and really wanting it, hungry to play the tournaments.

“As you could see, I was more prepared than last year. Now I'm just feeling much better. So I'm glad that I had those days. Last year everything was tighter.”

Good preparation will mean little if Alcaraz cannot bring the goods to his opener against Reilly Opelka at Flushing Meadows. The challenge posed by the big-serving 6’11” home favourite is a unique one on Tour, and Alcaraz knows he will have to settle quickly in the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash.

“Well, it's going to be really difficult playing Opelka for the first time,” said the 22-year-old. “We all know his game style. So I have to be ready for that, have to be focused on the return, trying to put in as many returns as I can. Trying to get good rhythm in the match, playing good points from the baseline when he lets me do it, and let's see.

“The confidence is high right now. The court feels good. The balls feel good. I’m just getting ready.”