Jannik Sinner has candidly admitted that Carlos Alcaraz has ‘something more’ in their rivalry.
The pair have been the standout players on the ATP Tour this year and most recently competed in the final of the Six Kings Slam.
Sinner got the better of Alcaraz that day but believes the Spaniard has more to his armoury at the moment.
He said: “We are two very different players. I keep the pace very high, I am mentally strong. He is physically strong and tennis-wise at the moment he has something more: he plays the slice better, the volleys.
“But for me it is a positive fact: it means I have margins. Carlos on the court does the numbers: drop shot, passing shot, lob. I don’t know if I will ever be like that. But as a tennis player I am more solid and when needed I place the winning acceleration
“Success hasn’t changed me, I am always the same. I don’t walk with my head held high if I win, I don’t get depressed if I lose. I don’t like being in the spotlight. I don’t put on airs.
“Those close to me know how much time I dedicate to tennis. Then you either like it or you don’t, you can’t control everything. I take care of who is with me close, to the family, the rest doesn’t matter to me.”