Why Alcaraz is ‘wishing’ for rivalry like Federer v Nadal – could it be with Sinner?

Carlos Alcaraz says he dreams of being part of a rivalry like Roger Federer had with Rafael Nadal to help push him to his “maximum level”.

It was 20 years ago in Miami that one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history was born as Federer and Nadal faced off for the first time.

There would be 39 more meetings to follow as Nadal and Federer battled for supremacy on the biggest stages across 15 seasons.

It was a rivalry that will live long in the memory, and one that has resonated with Alcaraz.

“They have had a very nice and demanding rivalry at the same time,” said the world No. 2.

“What I’ve learned from this rivalry is that you can never fall behind or give up or settle. You always have to improve, you always have to raise your level. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re at your maximum level, that you can’t give more, you can always give a little more.

“That’s what they’ve shown for so many years that they’ve been up there. Every time they lost to each other, they tried to be better to win the next time. And they’ve done that for a long time, which is something incredible and something to admire.

“I wish I could have a rivalry like they have had.”

It seems more likely than not that Alcaraz, who plays Gael Monfils in the last 32 of the Miami Open on Monday, will be part of the next great rivalry in men’s tennis.

There have been early signs of that in his eight matches against world No. 3 Jannik Sinner, with plenty of thrilling moments and some incredible shot-making from both players.

At 20 and 22, Alcaraz and Sinner are considered the likely leaders of the next generation when world No. 1 Novak Djokovic retires.

“Hopefully both Jannik and I have a nice long future ahead of us,” said Alcaraz.

“In that way I hope I can give my best level and continue to grow thanks to him while I see the level he is having.”

Alcaraz and Sinner are on course to meet in the final of the Miami Open.

It would be the second meeting between the pair this year, with Alcaraz winning in three sets when they clashed in the Indian Wells semis earlier this month.

“He’s an incredible player and usually when we play it’s a very good match-up. We both try our best on the court. We have a lot of respect for each other.

“Off the court we don’t speak that much because he has his own things and I have my things, but on the court he’s a player who can show so many things on the court.

“He has a lot of emotions, he shows a really good fighting spirit. Everyone is different, I am not showing so many emotions on the court, but it works as well for my side.

“I’m very happy always when I face him and it gives me a chance to see a new perspectives for what I have to work on.

“Last year I lost against him also in the semi-finals there. I just try to be ready and hopefully I can do also this year the same.”

Sinner plays Christopher O’Connell in the last 16 on Tuesday.