 "Jannik Sinner plays down Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz comparisons")
Jannik Sinner has dismissed the idea that he is the best player in the world right now, saying he should not be compared to Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner, the World No. 2, can come within touching distance of the top-ranked Djokovic in the standings should he triumph in Madrid this fortnight. He arrives in the Spanish capital brimming with confidence and carrying an impressive 25-2 win-loss record in 2024.
The Australian Open champion , who owns a tour-leading three titles this season, is placed top in the ATP’s Race to Turin, and is 1,650 points ahead of second-placed Daniil Medvedev.
“I think it’s a tough question to answer. We always see only this moment and I think that sometimes it’s good but also not good,” the 22-year-old Sinner told reporters in Madrid.
“I still believe that you cannot compare myself with Novak with all that he has done. And the same goes for Carlos. Also Carlos won more than me.
“I have a lot of respect for both of them. I just try to play my game, trying to understand what works best for me and then we see what I can achieve.”
Look who we have here... 👀
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 20, 2024
Great to have you back, Jannik! 🧡@janniksin | @atptour | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/CWbF1NkSO0
Madrid has been a tough venue for the Italian in the past. Sinner has never made it past the third round in either of his previous two appearances.
In the absence of Djokovic, who has pulled out of the tournament , Sinner is the top seed in Caja Magica, where he faces Richard Gasquet or Lorenzo Sonego in the second round.
“I used to struggle quite a lot in the previous years, finding my level here, so it’s going to be interesting to see how I’m going to play this year,” he added.
Alcaraz back from injury
Quick practice for Alcaraz on a packed court.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 23, 2024
Big Netflix crew following everything.
He met Struff in the end, the player that he beat in the 2023 final here! pic.twitter.com/NSc6giGv1p
Meanwhile, Alcaraz, the World No. 3, had no qualms in describing Sinner as the game’s best at the moment and acknowledged it will be tough trying to stop his good friend and rival from taking over the top spot.
“He’s dangerous, he’s really dangerous. He’s the best player in the world right now,” said Alcaraz, who is the two-time defending champion in Madrid.
“Probably everybody thinks that his tennis doesn’t suit very much clay but he makes good results on clay as well, he can win every tournament he goes to, and I’m fighting with him, with Novak, to be in the first spot and I’m trying not to let them stay there.
“Honestly it’s going to be difficult. They deserve to be there and let’s see what’s going to happen the next tournaments.”
Alcaraz, 20, is coming off a right arm injury that forced him to skip the tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona .
He said he managed to increase the intensity of his training since his arrival in Madrid and is hoping to be 100 percent ready for his opener against Arthur Rinderknech or Alexander Shevchenko.
Alcaraz x Djokovic:
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 22, 2024
Red Carpet Edition🥂✨
@LaureusSport #Laureus24
pic.twitter.com/RciJETM6IQ
On the eve of the tournament, Alcaraz attended the Laureus World Sports Awards and presented Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham with the Breakthrough of the Year award, giving an impressive speech, in English, in front of a marquee audience.
“I didn’t feel comfortable on the stage. I was so nervous. I practised that speech during the week almost 50 times just to make sure it’s going to be perfect and I was shaking, my legs were shaking. I’m not used to giving a speech in front of legends of the sports and in front of that kind of people,” confessed Alcaraz.
Elsewhere, world number four Medvedev is hoping to avoid another on-court tantrum if faced with questionable officiating after his fiery reaction to disputed calls in Monte Carlo made headlines.
Like I said, if Meddy avoids a default in Madrid it will be a success 😭 pic.twitter.com/PmgkH4Ebu4
— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) April 23, 2024
While most big tournaments have adopted electronic line-calling, many clay events still use line judges, given the mark of the ball is easier to see on the red dirt.
Monte Carlo witnessed numerous issues with officiating though, and Medvedev is aware he has to find a way to control his temper throughout the clay season.
“Mistakes can happen. I wish I hadn’t reacted like this, so let’s see if next time it happens, I cannot promise anything, but hopefully I can focus more on the match than on the mistake itself,” said the 28-year-old Russian.
(with inputs from AFP)
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