Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner contested yet another epic match, once again won by the Spaniard, and he believes these matches will help tennis grow.
Tennis is a global sport, meaning that it has a global fanbase, but it’s not a sport that enjoys equal popularity in all parts of the world. That would be the ideal scenario, but it’s not the case.
Certain things have greatly contributed to its popularity in certain regions, most notably the rise of Roger Federer, who became a tennis icon. His rivalry with Rafael Nadal is what largely kick-started the modern rise of tennis as a sport, so it’s not unprecedented to have a rivalry elevate a sport to a new level.
The Big Three era did that for most of the past two decades, but now it’s time for a new era. Many analysts think it will be the era of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and for now, it seems that way.
This is ultimately the rivalry in tennis today, with quite a few matches between them already having ‘classic’ status. Their most recent one happened at the ATP 500 event in Beijing; it was the China Open final, and it was a classic.
It lasted almost three and a half hours, including a ridiculous comeback win for Alcaraz, who was down 0-3 in the final-set tie-break. He then went on to win 7 points in a row to win the tie-break and the match.
What’s even more impressive is that Sinner was 18-1 in the last 19 tie-breaks up until that point, and one of those even happened in the same match. It was a proper spectacle, and Alcaraz had a lot to say about it after the match.
“Well, I’m start saying that when Jannik and I face each other, playing against each other, I think it’s a really good thing for tennis because we always show a really intense match, really close match, great points, great rallies. I think for the people who don’t watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches start to watch tennis or even practice it. I think it is pretty good.”
The tie-break was a proper show by the Spaniard, who once again reminded everyone of his summer form that saw him emerge as the best player in the world.
Alcaraz loves competing, and the competition with Sinner is tremendous; however, it’s also stressful. He was happy about the win, because he beat one of the best in the world, and that’s always a great feeling.
“I try to enjoy as much as I can playing against him, but it’s not easy. I’m really happy. I mean, when you’re able to beat one of the best, if not the best, tennis player in the world, obviously it seems like you’re doing the right things, you’re doing the right work. I’m proud about myself with everything I’ve done the last month, working really hard physically, on the court as well. It has been an intense month.”
Walking away with the trophy in Beijing is certainly great for Alcaraz, who hopes to finish this year on a strong note after his post-Olympics slump.
“But really happy to end it up with the trophy here in Beijing, with a really incredible match. I think both of us show a really high level of tennis, high level of mentally, physically until the last ball running from side to side, showing really good rallies, really good points in the tiebreak of the third. I’m really happy to be able to get that win at the end.”