Alcaraz analyzes his relationship with Sinner and the fight for the number one

Pedro de Pablos | 13 Apr 2026 | 17.13

Alcaraz analyzes his relationship with Sinner and the battle for the number one

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Carlos Alcaraz has landed at the Barcelona Open 2026 with the goal of reclaiming the number one spot in the ATP rankings. After losing the final of the Monte Carlo Masters to Jannik Sinner, the Spanish tennis player surrendered the top spot to the player from San Candido, a situation he could reverse by winning this tournament.

Last year, Alcaraz reached the final against Holger Rune, where he lost after suffering some physical issues that hindered his title pursuit. Therefore, if he lifts the title in Barcelona, he will garner the necessary points to surpass Jannik Sinner once again. He discussed this during the press conference before his debut on Tuesday against Otto Virtanen, emphasizing the admiration he feels for the Italian player, from whom he learns daily to continue evolving.

Carlos Alcaraz's full press conference before his debut at the Barcelona Open 2026

Snatching the world number one spot from Sinner again

I've seen that I need to win the tournament here if I want to remember it. I believe the battle we are having for the number one spot between Jannik and me is very beautiful, and I think it is probably an extra motivation. But what we are focused on and what I have in mind is to try to continue the path we are on, to try to keep improving. We are very clear about the things we need to do and implement in training and matches, even more so after yesterday's defeat. So, for me, that is the main objective, but obviously, in terms of results and points, it is an extra motivation.

Relationship with Sinner

Well, the truth is that Jannik and I have a very good relationship. Obviously, it's not personal on a deep level; we're not going to dinner, we're not going to eat together, but I think the relationship we have off-court is very good. I believe he has a team and people around him who are also beautiful individuals. He himself is also. Beyond what we may do or what we are fighting for on the court, I think our way of being off the court will not change. And I think that is demonstrated in the respect we have for each other.

Just yesterday, as I was heading to my room, I saw him jump into the pool. I stayed to witness the moment and keep it in mind. The truth is that I have admiration for him. I think it's also a great way to show the world that even though we have a very competitive rivalry on the court, as we fight for the same things, we can be good people and have a very good relationship off the court.

Relief that Sinner is not in Barcelona

Well, obviously, I'm not going to say no. He is one of the players who makes me better. He makes me realize my weaknesses. He makes me realize what I really need to focus on in each training session and match. And that is what I strive for every day, to improve myself. So, it's very nice to have him as a goal to aim for and to see all that he is achieving. However, that doesn't mean we won't miss each other occasionally at tournaments. I won't miss him this week, for example, but it's all good.

Words during his defeat in Miami

Well, first, the most challenging thing on the court is controlling your emotions. Sometimes you react instantly and say things that you don't even mean. Later, you realize the gravity of your words, the gravity of what you say on the court, even if you didn't mean it. There are many times on certain tours or in certain matches where you may feel mentally overloaded due to off-court issues or tournament surroundings. Sometimes you arrive mentally fatigued, and when faced with tough matches that require mental endurance, it becomes really hard. So, after that, we tried to turn it around, rest, and come back stronger.

Areas to improve after the defeat against Sinner

We have been following a training regimen for a long time, with many things we want to improve. These are not major things but rather small details, small strokes that can make a difference when playing against one player or another. We've been practicing them since the preseason until now. Even after yesterday's defeat, I believe one of the positive takeaways was the post-match discussion we had with the whole team. We laid all the cards on the table, we all reached the same conclusion, and after yesterday's defeat, we added more areas for improvement, which I won't disclose or keep within the team.

Match load on the clay court tour

We have to take it day by day; we shouldn't jump ahead. I don't know what will happen. I don't know if I'll reach the final rounds, if I'll lose in the early stages, I can't anticipate that. I don't know if the matches will be short, longer, less demanding, or more demanding. What I can say is to go day by day, listen to my body, listen to what I really need. Listen to my team, who truly know me and understand what I need at each moment. And above all, from there, try to make the best decision possible. But for now, we are enthusiastic, eager, and ready to do everything in our power to endure the entire clay court tour.

Recovering from one day to the next

When you have to play the next day, you hardly have any time for anything else. Well, it's coming here and talking in front of you. As you may have noticed, I didn't train today, which, due to the completely different conditions from Monte Carlo until now, might be a slight handicap. Tomorrow we'll try to have the best possible feelings to play the match well and see what happens. But today is a somewhat calmer day.

Ghosts after the defeat to Sinner

Well, as I said before, I think it's a day-by-day process. I remember perfectly that last year I might have been a bit tired, but physically without any major discomfort until the final, and then, sort of suddenly. In the end, tennis is a sport that I believe is somewhat unpredictable. You don't know what will happen at any given point, so we will try to do things in the best way possible. To ensure that I am physically well to endure this tournament, to prevent any pain, and obviously to perform well in Madrid and the upcoming tournaments. What happened last year happened, and as I said, we will learn from those things, listen to our bodies, and do things in the right way.

Fear of Sinner's improvement

"Well, honestly, I'm happy to see Jannik, especially improving. He has openly said that the clay court tour is not his favorite due to his playing style, and to see especially the results he is achieving, the level he is showing on clay, personally, it makes me happy because, as I said, right now, he is the player who makes me improve, who makes me better, makes me stop and think about how I can be better, what I need to improve to try to beat him, to try to win. And in that sense, I'm glad to see him taking giant steps, especially on clay. People may say that I am more suited to clay than him; it's true that ultimately he has beaten me on all surfaces, and I have beaten him on all surfaces. I think, how should I put it, when we face each other, there is no clear favorite, it doesn't matter if we play on grass, on a fast court, or on clay. So in that regard, we'll see how this clay court tour unfolds, and hopefully, it will be like last year's."

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This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz analiza su relación con Sinner y la lucha por el número uno