Carlos Alcaraz admitted he finds Jannik Sinner “annoying” to play against after the Italian avenged his US Open defeat with a ruthless display to win the Six Kings Slam final in Riyadh.
The world No 1 was left frustrated and full of admiration in equal measure after being dismantled 6-2, 6-4 by the 24-year-old, who has now beaten him in back-to-back finals at the lucrative Saudi event.
“Sometimes it seems like he’s playing ping pong. It’s not funny being on the other side of the net,” Alcaraz said, smiling ruefully after his defeat.
“I always say that when he plays such great tennis, it gives me motivation to go to the practice court, give my 100 per cent, and try to be better. It’s kind of a mix.
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“Sometimes he’s annoying, but at the same time, he gives me extra motivation.”
Sinner, who pocketed an eye-watering $4.5million in prize money alongside a $1.5m appearance fee, produced a performance of clinical precision to overpower the Spaniard.
From the first rally, the world No 2 dictated the pace, breaking Alcaraz in the opening game and taking the first set in a blistering 30 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz was full of praise for Jannik Sinner after losing in the final of the Six Kings Slam
|REUTERS
The second set followed a similar pattern: Alcaraz saved four break points before finally succumbing in the seventh game as Sinner sealed victory with an ace that echoed through the packed Riyadh arena.
This latest triumph marks Sinner’s second successive Six Kings Slam title and underscores his growing dominance in the game’s most elite showpiece outside the traditional Grand Slam calendar.
For Alcaraz, the defeat comes only seven weeks after he beat Sinner in the US Open final in New York, yet the pendulum has swiftly swung back in the Italian’s favour.
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Carlos Alcaraz says he's motivated to do better following his defeat to Jannik Sinner in Saudi Arabia
|REUTERS
Sinner called it “almost the perfect performance” and spoke warmly about the rivalry that has come to define the sport’s new era.
“I wish I could play like this everywhere,” he said.
“It’s always nice to share the court with Carlos.
“To see you here with your whole team, you have done an incredible job throughout the whole season.
“Working very hard, winning title after title; thanks for leaving one for me.”
The mutual respect between the two prodigies remains genuine, even as their contests become ever more intense.
Jannik Sinner was imperious as he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in Riyadh
|REUTERS
Sinner described Alcaraz as both a friend and the standard against which he measures himself.
“You think a lot about that,” he said. “That’s exactly why you need Carlos and many other players, to keep improving, to keep looking up to certain players.
“Especially for me, this is Carlos. We’ve played many times this season and I’ve lost many times against him.
“It’s a huge pleasure and honour to share the court with him. At the same time, you want to get better as a tennis player. You need rivalries. It’s nice to have a great rivalry and, more importantly, a great friendship off court.”
The sight of two young champions pushing each other to new heights has thrilled fans and given men’s tennis the compelling rivalry it has craved since the decline of the Big Three.
How their next battle plays out remains to be seen, with many expecting them to lock horns again when the Australian Open commences in January.