Three years ago, Carlos Alcaraz triumphed at the US Open to seal his first turnout to number 1 in the PIF ATP ranking. This year the Spaniard wants to do the same to ensure his return on top of tennis’ Berg.
Yet Alcaraz should make an impressive series by his great rival Jannik Sinner to expel the Italian in the world no. 1. Sinner enters the New York Major on a 21-match winning streak at Hard-Court Grand Slam events, after his triumphs on the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Australian Open and the 2024 US Open.
‘[Winning here] Would be a great thing to do, “said Alcaraz on Saturday in his press conference before the tournament. “He won the last three Grand Slams on hard courts. It was incredibly the tennis that he brings to hard courts. So I just look up to him somehow to be ready if I have to face him somewhere.”
To leave New York as World No. 1, Alcaraz simply has to be opened with the open result of Sinner’s US Open result. That increases the possibility of a winner-takes-all final between the best two players of the ATP Tour on September 7. It is an opportunity that Alcaraz would embrace.
“It’s going to be great. I just get ready for the tournament, just to do a good result, hopefully to meet in the final. It would be a great result with a good run here,” said Alcaraz, who had a 9-5 Lexus ATP Head2head lead against Sinner before he was added light: “If I defeated his Achterste!”
The emotions that Alcaraz this year arrives in the US Open Contrast Starkly until a year ago. In 2024 he arrived in New York after the back of a painful defeat against Novak Djokovic in the gold medal match at the Olympic Games in Paris, and he was far below his brilliant best when he slid to a shock of the second round of the second round of the sand sculpt at Arthe Ashe Stadium.
This time, however, the Spaniard comes in fresh to lift its eighth ATP Masters 1000 title at the Cincinnati Open.
“It’s much different. I have more time to finish my days completely, just to charge my mind, my batteries,” said Alcaraz. “I had to practice at home for two weeks, but it was at home. So for me it is an extra that I got home those days and then went to Cincinnati with more luck, let’s say, and really want, hungry to play the tournaments.
“As you could see, I was more prepared than last year. Now I just feel much better. So I’m glad I had those days. Last year everything was tighter.”
Good preparation means little if Alcaraz cannot bring the goods to its opener against Reilly Opelka at Flushing Meadows. The challenge of the Big-Serving 6’11 ‘Thuis favorite is a unique on tour, and Alcaraz knows that he will have to settle quickly in the Maiden Lexus ATP Head2head collision of the couple.
“Well, it will be very difficult to play Opelka for the first time,” said the 22-year-old. “We all know his game style. So I have to be ready to focus on the return, try to place as many returns as possible as I can. Try to get a good rhythm in the game, play good points from the basic line when he lets me do it, and let’s look.
“The trust is now high. The court feels good. The balls feel good. I just get ready.”
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