Carlos Alcaraz recognized the superiority of Jannik Sinner after the grand final of the Six Kings Slam 2025. The Spaniard, self-critical and elegant in defeat, described the Italian’s performance with admiration and humor, leaving a phrase that defines the match: “Sometimes it seems like he’s playing ping pong.”
“When Jannik plays at this level, it is always difficult. Today he was too good, everyone was able to enjoy his tennis. It has been a very high level of tennis“Alcaraz said at the trophy presentation ceremony.
The Murcian detailed why the duel was difficult for him from the first game: “He played great tennis today, he didn’t let me get into the rhythm of the match. He says he improved on his serve and I could see it. I haven’t had any breaking balls and it’s something I’m not used to. When he serves really well it’s very difficult to play. I haven’t been able to find solutions. That gives you extra pressure, especially against a great returner.”
With a smile, Alcaraz left the headline of the day when asked if he really enjoys when Sinner deploys that devastating version:
“Do you really like it when Sinner plays like that?”
—“Not much,” he responded between jokes. “Sometimes it seems like he’s playing ping pong. It’s not fun being on the other side of the network. I always say that when he plays at such an incredible level it gives me motivation to go to the court to train and give 100%, it motivates me to be better. It’s like a puzzle, sometimes I don’t like it, but it gives me that extra motivation.”
Sinner’s stance
Could it be a result of Sinner’s change after the US Open loss? Sinner himself gave his explanations after the final in Ryad: “As I said, after the US Open we have spent every day trying to figure out what we should do, where we should work. Above all, the difference has been made by the mentality in how we have approached training and the matches. Playing at this level, which I think was very high and which I maintained throughout the match, makes me very happy.”
Alcaraz, a friend
Beyond the rivalry, Alcaraz highlighted the good harmony with the number one of the moment: “I have written to him on several occasions to see how things were going, to congratulate him. We have a special relationship, a friendship off the track apart from the rivalry on the track because of which people may think that it is something competitive and that it is not compatible. We saw that it is possible, we talk much more than people think.”
Looking ahead to the final stretch of the calendar, the Spaniard sets out his roadmap and clear objectives: “There are some indoor tournaments left, I’m trying to adapt to the courts. I don’t have the best track record on these surfaces, but I’m trying to improve it. I have number one at stake so I will do my best.”