Grand Slam champion tells Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner: Your no.1 fight ‘means nothing’

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have booked their spots in the Monte-Carlo Masters semi-finals, setting up the possibility of their first meeting of the year if both win again.

Alcaraz is set to face Valentin Vacherot, while Sinner will be up against Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final.

Sinner could also replace Alcaraz as World No. 1 if he finishes ahead of him in Monaco, adding another layer to an already intriguing tournament.

The start of 2026 has seen a dramatic shift at the top of men’s tennis with Jannik Sinner breaking into the very top tier and threatening to overtake Carlos Alcaraz as world number one for the first time.

Sinner clinched his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and then added titles in Rotterdam and Miami early this year.

Alcaraz and Sinner focused on more than just the No. 1 ranking

Paul Annacone, speaking to The Tennis Channel, said that both players are more focused on winning the event itself than taking over the top ranking.

“At the forefront of both their minds is just trying to win the tournament this week. It’s a byproduct of what they’re doing,” he explained.

“I think most of the great players at this stage, if it’s not their first time touching number one, then they’re like ‘Whatever happens during the year happens’. Let me see what happens throughout my year.

“At the end of the year, I want to be number one, but right now, if I lose it, is that disappointment? Sure, but it’s not a big deal. It’s right now. It’s how do I win this tournament this week? That’s how I see it.”

Coco Vandeweghe weighs in on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s focus during the world number one race

Vandeweghe was also of the same mind as Annacone, going as far as to claim that top spot ‘doesn’t matter’ at this stage.

“I think the best thing that comes out of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner is their epic matchups. And it comes at Grand Slams. And that’s what they’re focused on,” said the US Open doubles champion.

“Not just beating the rest of the field, but when it comes to their mano a mano matchup, who comes out on top. Having not played yet this year is going to mean something when they show up and go against each other because that’s what we want to see in sports is the best two players in the world go after it.”

Their last meeting came at the ATP Finals final, which went in favour of Sinner.

Vandeweghe believes Alcaraz and Sinner’s first match in months will be more important than who reaches the summit of the ATP Tour.

“Whether it’s one next to their name or two, it doesn’t matter. They just want to be having that Grand Slam title at the end of the week, or the biggest Masters 1000 next to their name.”

Both have lifted two trophies this season, but those tournament wins have yet to bring them together.

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