Many predict that Sinner and Alcaraz will dominate men's tennis in the coming years. This assessment has gradually become mainstream following this year's Wimbledon. The two players have consecutively claimed the titles in the last two Grand Slam finals and together have won all the championships in the past seven Grand Slams.

Currently, Alcaraz is targeting the US Open and the top spot in the world rankings, and the complex relationship between him and Sinner has become one of the most captivating stories in tennis.

Aiming for the US Open in peak condition and regaining the world number one ranking is the primary goal.

As the current world number two, Alcaraz recently withdrew from the Canadian Masters to conserve energy for upcoming events. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he admitted that he fell into a slump after last year's Olympics, where he not only failed to perform at his usual level but also exited in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters and the second round of the US Open. It seems that missing out on the gold medal at the Paris Olympics was quite a blow for Alcaraz, especially since Djokovic, at the age of 37, defeated him with scores of 7-6 (3) / 7-6 (2) to take the gold, which is indeed quite lamentable!

However, Alcaraz has now adjusted his mindset. He stated:

“From now until the end of the season, I don't have to defend many points, and I will give my all in the upcoming events.”

At the same time, he made it clear that his primary goal is to reclaim the world number one ranking, with all preparations focused on the US Open: “I am preparing for several events in the US with the aim of being in peak condition for the US Open.”

Currently, Sinner has held the world number one ranking for 59 weeks, surpassing Murray (41 weeks), Alcaraz (36 weeks), and Medvedev (16 weeks).

The “love-hate” relationship with Sinner, both a fierce rival and a close friend.

The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner has become a focal point in tennis. In this year's French Open final, Alcaraz saved three match points and triumphed after a grueling five-hour battle with scores of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2), making it the longest final in French Open history; a few weeks later in the Wimbledon final, Sinner avenged the loss with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, capturing his first Wimbledon title.

Despite their fierce competition on the court, the two share a deep friendship off the court. Alcaraz candidly stated: “Tennis is a unique sport that allows us to be fierce opponents on the court while still respecting each other. Sinner and I are good friends, and we can talk about many things off the court. I have great respect for him, and I believe we will always maintain this relationship.”

In his view, their matches hold significant importance for the sport of tennis: “Our matches always generate excitement; the more we compete against each other, the more people are drawn to tennis. Moreover, during each encounter, we push our limits.”

Mindset transformation: from being troubled by criticism to learning to focus on oneself.

After experiencing ups and downs, Alcaraz's mindset has matured significantly. He revealed that his sports psychologist, with whom he has collaborated for five years, has been an essential support: “He helps me regulate negative emotions and teaches me how to cope with match pressure. I can now clearly feel the changes.”

Once affected by external criticism and falling into a slump, he has now found his way to self-acceptance. He said: “There's no need to pursue perfection every day; what matters is maintaining stability and continuous improvement. Even in failure, there are lessons to be learned.”

This mindset has also allowed him to focus more on his personal goals—next, he will compete in the Cincinnati Masters, making his final push for the US Open.

From peak showdowns on the court to mutual motivation in training, the competitive story between Alcaraz and Sinner is injecting new energy into men's tennis. Their rivalry may bring about more harmony, with less tension compared to their predecessors. With clear goals and a mature mindset, Alcaraz is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated figures at the US Open.

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