While both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are widely regarded as the standout talents of their era, it is starting to look like Alcaraz is pulling ahead.
Even though he is two years younger, he already holds more Grand Slam titles, has picked up more overall trophies, and is closing in on Sinner’s time spent at world number one.
Sinner did not get off to a great start this year either. He fell short in the Australian Open semifinals before a surprising early exit to Jakub Mensik in Qatar last week.
Alcaraz went on to win both of those tournaments.
After his latest win, the Spaniard was asked about Sinner’s recent comments where the Italian said his main focus for 2026 is to take the world number one spot and reclaim the Roland Garros title.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts to Jannik Sinner’s big target for 2026
Alcaraz and Sinner faced off in a memorable French Open final last year, with the 22-year-old coming back from two sets down and saving three championship points before clinching the win.
In that context, the Italian star, who is now just a French Open title away from completing his career Grand Slam, spoke after his loss to Mensik about wanting to do it this year at the first available opportunity.
Reacting to Sinner’s comments in his own press conference, Alcaraz said: “Well, yeah, I mean, I’m trying not to think about anything else but myself. And what I feel right now, it’s like I love playing tennis, and I love competing. It is time to enjoy every time that I am able to play and step on the court.
“So we sometimes just keep going over ourselves, and we don’t stop and think about everything. So probably, and I’ve been injured, and in that time that you are out of the competition, you’re missing it, and you realise how beautiful it, is the competition and the tennis. So once I’m able to do it, it’s time to stop thinking about it, and think how beautiful and how lucky am I to step on court. So that’s why I’m enjoying every time that I compete and that I step on the court. That’s why you can see myself really happy, even if I’m losing, or even if I lose a point or whatever.
“Obviously, talking about goals, you know, it’s the biggest tournaments in the world, the Masters 1000s, the Grand Slams. The next one is Roland Garros. That’s a tournament that I just have great memories and great experience in that tournament, really looking forward to playing there, to being good there. Before that, I have a lot of special tournaments ahead that I just really want to be prepared for.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s track record at Roland Garros
It is a huge challenge for Sinner to unseat the two-time reigning French Open winner, but he came within touching distance last year and will remember it well.
For much of that match, he was the better player. It was not until the closing stages that things slipped away, with a few key misses and some brilliant play from Alcaraz making the difference.
It is also worth noting that Roland Garros is where the Spaniard has one of his strongest win rates, standing at 89%.
He has appeared in five editions of the tournament, claiming two titles and making another semifinal run.
This leaves him with three losses and 25 wins at Roland Garros.
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