ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 3, 2021

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/J. Sinner

7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Your thoughts on today? This is the first time that you have played Carlos Alcaraz. As I'm sure you know --

JANNIK SINNER: Second.

Q. -- people are talking about this being a rivalry in the future.

JANNIK SINNER: First of all, it was the second time, not the first one. We played once in challenger in 2019 on clay. He beat me there. He beat me here (smiling).

I think it was a good match. I mean, he played well of course. I tried to do the best I could today. There was a little bit pressure on both sides. We both didn't start so well with the service games. Then after it was a little bit better. I didn't took my chances on the 5-All in the first set.

And, yeah, the tiebreak went how it went. The second set I tried to do a little bit more and I missed more, and he was more solid. That's it. But I think it was a good match on both sides.

First time on ATP Tour we played, so hopefully we can play some many, many more, which I think is the case, because he plays very, very high level. I play high level. We are young. So I hope so. But you never know. But, yeah, I think it was a good start from both of us, I would say.

Q. Do you also get involved in the expectations and the future thinking that tennis observers, tennis media and all that, talk about when it comes to you and Carlos playing one another?

JANNIK SINNER: Which kind of -- for what?

Q. There is so much enthusiasm and excitement about both of you being the players of the future of men's tennis, and there is so much excitement about the fact that you guys will play one another hopefully often in the future. Is that something that enters your mind and part of your excitement as far as playing the sport?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, I hope it's the case, because I think we both are different players, but one thing we have in common and that's because we work very, very hard.

I think from his side and from my side as well we both are humble and we have a great team. I mean, yes, I hope so, but I think he's not focusing about what the press is saying, and I don't focus about that. We both are quite focused about what we have to do, trying to improve, and, yeah, I think that's it, to be honest.

Today was not my day, but I hope we can play some more matches. I knew that he's going to be top already when I played him in 2019 on the clay in the Challenger Tour, because these kind of players you feel that they have something special, for sure.

I think we don't talk anymore about the age, because how complete he is, this is incredible. Yeah, that's it.