On Saturday night in the Californian desert, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played out the eighth installment of their burgeoning competition. By and by, it didn’t disappoint.
The two hottest youthful stars on the ATP Visit, 20-year-old world No 2 Alcaraz pulled level in his straight on with 22-year-old Sinner, the world No 3, with an exhilarating fightback, securing a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory to progress to the Indian Wells Masters final, where he meets world No 4 Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.
In the midst of Sinner’s momentous start to the season that saw the Italian go 16 matches unbeaten and clinch his lady Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, Alcaraz has had a nearly subdued first couple of months of the year. However, his re-visitation of structure at Indian Wells, where he is the defending boss, has given a jolting reminder of his world-class family.
Still, regardless of structure and circumstances, this coordinate brings out the best in the two players and delivers fireworks on the court like clockwork. Saturday night was the same, and following two hours and five minutes of one more breathless experience, there is no contention as to the defining competition in men’s tennis at present.
It is defined by its competitiveness as well as by the spectacle; each match is like a rollercoaster, taking fans on a rush seeking ride until an inevitable match point brings it to a shuddering end. It means Alcaraz-Sinner matches have simply become unmissable.
“This makes things truly fun, no?” Sinner said. “Perhaps there is one day where one of us wins three, four times in succession. Then the rival or the other one has to attempt to adjust somewhat, trying totally new things.
“Perhaps it goes totally off-base, that you lose 6-1, 6-1, or no difference either way. However, I think that is great to see for myself and then, at that point, trying to fill later on.”
So, what is it about this competition that has worked everything out “wizardry”, as Alcaraz described it?
It’s not unexpected said in boxing that styles create fights and the same can be applied to tennis. Alcaraz and Sinner have very much like games that complete one another; both are fast and athletic, they can hit winners from any point, and possess fine intelligence which allows them to play with innovativeness and composure. Put these two skill sets facing one another and it’s a dependable blockbuster.
Like all sports, tennis is always evolving, building on the standards set by previous generations to push the sport onwards and upwards. Alcaraz and Sinner are operating at the pinnacle of this latest development, and are becoming worldwide superstars with steadily expanding fanbases in the process.
Indeed, the signs were there back at the 2022 US Open when Alcaraz got through a high power, five-set thrill ride in the quarter-finals while heading to his leading edge significant title.
“Matches with Jannik are always special,” Alcaraz said. “We realize we need to play at our highest level to win. We need to put enchantment on the court, mind blowing points and for the group it is also brilliant.”
It is also desperately required for the present and fate of the men’s down to have a contention that really captures the tennis public’s imagination.
For a really long time there have been concerns about how the ATP Visit would adjust in the post-Huge Three period, when matches between the three greatest players ever transcended the sport.
With Roger Federer resigned, Rafael Nadal soon to join him, and Novak Djokovic – still the world No 1 it must be said – playing a more selective schedule, men’s tennis required another competition to offer it a chance in the arm.
Alcaraz and Sinner, of course, have some best approach to copy the feats of the Enormous Three, both individually and by the effect of their competition, yet it gives tennis fans something new to become genuinely amped up for, and an establishment for the visit to construct its new period upon.