US Open: Recharged Carlos Alcaraz takes aim at Jannik Sinner hard-court Slam streak

NEW YORK—Carlos Alcaraz last came to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center feeling out of sorts after a grueling Olympic-impacted summer ended with an early exit from the US Open.

What a difference a year makes: the Spaniard is no less busy—he hit the ground running at the Open, competing in mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu—but feeling much fresher after taking time between Wimbledon and the start of the North American hard-court swing. And the results have already been apparent: Alcaraz arrived in New York fresh off his first Cincinnati Open victory.

“I had more time just to have my days completely off, just to recharge my mind, my batteries,” Alcaraz said with a smile at his Media Day press conference. “Then I had two weeks at home practicing, but it was at home. So, for me, it is an extra good that I got having those days at home, and then going to Cincinnati with more happiness, let's say, and really wanting it, hungry to play the tournaments.”

“As you could see, I was more prepared than last year. Now I'm just feeling much better. So, I'm glad that I had those days. Last year it was more or everything was more tight with no days between tournaments.”

Alcaraz was indeed tighter this time last year, letting out his frustrations through a tough Cincinnati loss to Gaël Monfils and an even more shocking second-round defeat in Flushing Meadows to Botic van de Zandschulp.

Though he lost his Wimbledon title to rival Jannik Sinner last month, he claimed a degree of revenge in Cincinnati when the Italian was forced to retire due to illness in the final.

Officially, the result increased Alcaraz’s head-to-head lead over Sinner to 9-5, but the former world No. 1 is well aware their rivalry has only gotten closer in the last year.

“I think the respect we have each other and the good relationship we have off the court,” said Alcaraz, who beat Sinner to defend his Roland Garros title back in June. “I think it is great.

“Obviously, I think everybody watch what we can do every time we face against each other on court. We raise the level to the top. But the relationship we have off the court, I think we are not used to see it at the same times what we have in such a great rivalry on the court. So, I think that make it really special.”

Where Alcaraz has typically enjoyed the edge over Sinner in big matches—and he could wrest the No. 1 ranking from his friendly rival at the end of his two weeks in New York—Sinner has been nigh unstoppable on hard courts since the beginning of last year, racking up 21 straight wins (and three titles) at the last three hard-court major tournaments.

“It's been unbelievable the tennis he's bringing on hard courts,” said Alcaraz, seemingly connecting the dots of Sinner’s dominance in real time.

“So, I just look up to him in some way just to be ready if I have to face him somewhere. So, it's gonna be great. I’m just getting ready for the tournament, just to do a good result. Hopefully, you know, meet him in the final. But yeah, it would be a great result having a good run here.

“If I beat him much more... He has a big target, his back,” Alcaraz added with a smile.

Alcaraz will first have to past one of the trickiest first rounds on offer at this year’s US Open, facing big-serving Reilly Opelka on Arthur Ashe Stadium Monday night.