Sinner dishes on Alcaraz rivalry, the 'massive change' since last Australian Open

Over the past couple of years, the Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz has become one of the most captivating rivalries not only in tennis, but all of sport.

Sinner and Alcaraz cannot meet at the Australian Open until the final, but the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings was already asked about his great counterpart in a pre-tournament press conference.

“You have more tension. You have more eyes on us because this is a match most people want to see. Obviously there are so many other great, great players that are in the mix with us,” Sinner said. “First you have to arrive to this stage where you play against Carlos, which is a very difficult part to go through. When this happens, the feeling — I think he also feels the same way — it's a bit different.

“Young players, we usually play high-quality match because when two players face each other and you bring out your best, the quality of the match usually is very high… At the end of the day it's a tennis match. We try to do our best. Hopefully the people and the crowd enjoys.”

Entering last year’s Australian Open, Alcaraz was on the front foot in their rivalry. But Sinner claimed his maiden major title at Melbourne Park, climbed to World No. 1 in June and has not relinquished it since.

Sinner enjoyed one of the best seasons in recent memory in 2024, so it is natural that he feels differently entering the season’s first Grand Slam tournament in 2025.

“It was a massive change. Many, many things have changed. Last year there were so many first times. Not only first time winning Grand Slam, but also the year before first time of Davis Cup. Then after becoming World No. 1, then winning also the year-end [Nitto ATP] Finals. There are not so many first times left in our sport,” Sinner said. “Obviously there are still two different Grand Slams that I'm still missing.”

The Italian star has remained adamant about the importance of continuing to improve. During the offseason, he worked with his team on what he called small changes, with the belief that the little details could make the difference moving forward.

“Of course, one part is very important for me, trying to mix up the game a little bit more, trying to move forward a little bit. That's exactly what we were trying to do in the offseason. Service motion slightly different. Even if from outside you cannot see these changes, but as a player you realise it,” Sinner said. “I think tennis is an all-around game. Also the physical part is very important. The mental part is very important. We made some changes, but let's see this year how it goes.”

Melbourne will always have a special place in Sinner’s heart. This is where he stepped into the sun and where the 23-year-old hopes he will continue leaving his mark on the sport to begin the new season. Sinner plays Nicolas Jarry in the first round.

“’Its very special, special place to be back. Many, many things have changed on and off the court. Very glad that these memories will always be in my mind for so, so many years,” Sinner said. “Let's see what I can do this year. It's a question that I think [none] of us can answer. But it's good to be back here, and we'll see what the tournament is going to say.”