Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner look set to be involved in an intense battle for the year-end No 1 ranking and the former admitted that his big rival is the favourite to win the tussle.
Sinner has been the dominant player on the ATP Tour so far this year as he has won three titles – his maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open, the Rotterdam Open and Miami Open.
The Italian has also climbed to a career-high of No 2 in the ATP Rankings on the back of those results.
Asked by Spanish publication Marca who will finish No 1 at the end of the season, the two-time Grand Slam winner replied: “Hopefully me, but everything looks like it will be Jannik.”
As for the official rankings, it is mathematically impossible for Alcaraz to return to No 2 even if he successfully defends his Madrid Open title as Sinner enjoys a 1,470-point lead in the Live Rankings.
If Sinner ends up winning the title, then Alcaraz will also not be able to usurp the Australian Open champion at the Italian Open as he would open a big enough lead ahead of the Rome event.
Asked if being No 2 or No 3 matters once you have reached No 1 in the world, he replied: “For me yes. Although it is true that for many issues being two is much better than being three.
“For example at the level of brands and image. But at the tennis level, at the sports level, well no. In the semi-finals you will face the best regardless of the ranking.”
Of bigger concern for Alcaraz at the moment are his injury problems.
He missed the Monte Carlo Masters and his title defence at the Barcelona Open due to a right forearm injury.
“Frustration, frustration, because it was a tournament that we decided to go and play, a very nice tournament that I had only played once and I was excited to compete,” he said about his Monte Carlo withdrawal.
“When you get injured, positive thoughts never come. It was a frustrating and angry moment because it came suddenly and I couldn’t go out and compete.”
So how is the arm?
“After Wednesday’s training, it is becoming clearer and I see it as more feasible to be able to take to the track,” he explained. “Little by little, I have been increasing the intensity and I have already trained with a sparring partner and the ball was more lively. My last training session has been very positive and has given me a lot of peace of mind.”
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