In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of professional tennis, where rivalries ignite passions and every match is a test of will, Carlos Alcaraz, the dynamic Spanish sensation ranked No. 3 globally, has let slip a surprising confession. As he prepares to launch his clay-court campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters, the 21-year-old admitted to feeling a twinge of envy toward his chief rival, Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 currently sidelined by a three-month doping suspension. “I would really like to have a month without doing anything, really,” Alcaraz mused with a wry smile, reflecting on the relentless grind of the ATP Tour. It’s a candid peek into the mind of a young star who, despite his meteoric rise, finds himself longing for the kind of break Sinner is—albeit involuntarily—experiencing.
Sinner’s suspension, which runs until May 4, stems from a doping saga that erupted after he tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, in March 2024. Initially cleared when he attributed the result to accidental contamination from a physiotherapist’s massage, the Italian’s fortunes shifted when the World Anti-Doping Agency intervened, pushing for a harsher penalty. A settlement landed him with the three-month ban, forcing him to miss marquee events like Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte-Carlo—tournaments where Alcaraz is now battling to close the 3,500-point gap between them. While Sinner has been training at a reduced pace, enjoying a rare respite from the tour’s demands, Alcaraz has been grinding through an 11-month season with scarcely a moment to breathe. “We play 11 months without stopping, at most we stop three days in a row, a week at most,” he said, his tone tinged with both exhaustion and resignation.
This isn’t the first time Alcaraz has grappled with the weight of expectations in Sinner’s absence. Earlier this year, he confessed that the pressure to seize the No. 1 ranking while his rival was out “killed” him mentally, a burden that saw him falter despite a strong start with a title in Rotterdam. Losses in Doha’s quarterfinals, Indian Wells’ semifinals, and Miami’s opening round left him frustrated, unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Now, as he steps onto the clay of Monte-Carlo—a surface where he’s defending his Roland Garros crown—he’s shifting his mindset. “I’m just thinking that I’m not able to become No. 1 in the clay season,” he admitted, a stark contrast to his usual boundless ambition. “Even if Jannik is not playing, I don’t have the chance to do it. I think I’m too far from Jannik.”
Yet, this admission of jealousy isn’t laced with bitterness—it’s a human moment from a player who’s spent his career chasing greatness at breakneck speed. Alcaraz and Sinner, who’ve split the last four Grand Slams evenly, are the torchbearers of tennis’s next generation, their rivalry a fireworks display of power and finesse. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 6-4, with three straight wins in 2024, including a thrilling China Open final. Off the court, their bond is respectful but distant—“we are not close friends,” he’s said—yet Alcaraz has consistently praised Sinner’s prowess. “Jannik is the best right now,” he declared earlier this year, marveling at the Italian’s near-flawless 73-6 record in 2024. That admiration makes his current envy all the more poignant: Sinner’s enforced hiatus is a luxury Alcaraz, tethered to the tour’s relentless rhythm, can only dream of.
For Alcaraz, the clay season is a chance to reset. After a rocky hard-court swing, he’s eager to rediscover the joy that’s fueled his four Grand Slam triumphs. Monte-Carlo, where he’s set to face a tough field, is just the beginning—Madrid and Rome loom, leading to the French Open, where he’ll defend his title without the immediate shadow of Sinner. But the Italian’s return at the Italian Open on May 7 promises to reignite their duel, and Alcaraz knows it. “I’ve been watching his matches,” he said of Sinner’s earlier outings, a nod to the competitive edge that keeps him sharp. For now, though, he’s alone in the spotlight, wrestling with a schedule that offers no pause and a rival whose absence is both a challenge and, oddly, a source of longing.
As Alcaraz laces up for Monte-Carlo, his jealousy hints at a deeper truth: even the brightest stars crave a moment to dim the lights. Sinner’s “vacation,” forced or not, has given him time to recharge, while Alcaraz powers on, a relentless force chasing history. Whether that envy fuels his fire or weighs him down remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: when Sinner steps back onto the court, the tennis world will hold its breath for the next chapter of this electrifying saga.