“You believed that Alcaraz and Sinner would play in the four Grand Slam finals. I did believe in myself”
The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz and the Italian Jannik Sinner They met in six finals last season. Three of them in Grand Slam: the Murcian revalidated his crown at Roland Garros starring in a heroic comeback, he was dethroned at Wimbledon and regained command at the US Open. They closed their festival at the ATP Finals, which the Italian dominated.
In this strange 2026, due to the physical problems that both are going through, they have only faced each other once, in the Monte Carlo final, in which Sinner won, who had an extraordinary streak of Masters 1000. Before Monaco, Indian Wells and Miami. Then, Madrid and Rome. He collapsed at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz was injured two days after his defeat on Monegasque soil. A fortuitous action during her debut at the Godó led to a wrist injury that has not allowed her to compete until this US Open.
Those who dominated nine consecutive Grand Slams with a firm hand, from the 2024 Australian Open to the 2026 Australian Open, have given the opportunity for the first candidate behind them to shine, the German Alexander Zverev.
Roland Garros champion, his first ‘great’ at 29 years old, and Wimbledon finalist, this Sunday he will bid for the US Open crown against the American rookie Ben Shelton23 years old. It will be from 2 pm New York time, 8:00 pm Spanish peninsular time.
The Spaniard’s Grand Slam tally increases to seven units, compared to the Italian’s four. They have each played a final, when Zverev has added three. All of them consecutive, in addition to having done ‘semi’ in Australia.
Sasha Zverev commented on this matter ironically. They asked him if he imagined being the finals leader ahead of Sinner and Alcaraz this season. “I did believe in myself. I always believed I could win a Grand Slam, as I also believed that what happened this year was possible. I think many of you didn’t believe it,” the German said ironically, smiling.
“I think the question was always whether Carlos and Jannik They were going to play the four Grand Slam finals between them. Most of you were wondering. “Okay, it was legit because of what I had been through the previous two years, but I’m happy with what happened this year.”
A victory would also put him on the path to a number one that he has never achieved. In New York He will remain far from Jannik Sinner, but in mirage mode, because he already has the same points as the Italian this season. If he wins the title, he would be on his way to challenging the leadership, being the thirtieth leader in the ATP rankings.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been alternating in first place in the ATP rankings since June 10, 2024, when the transalpine took the position from the Serbian Novak Djokovic which left his record for total weeks at 428.
Sinner goes for 8822 consecutive, while Alcaraz stayed at 66 weeks. His last day in office, April 12, 2026. His ascension to the throne occurred precisely by winning his first US Open, which he took on September 12, 2022. The other active player not mentioned is the Russian Daniil Medvedevwhich reigned for 16 weeks in 2022.
