Carlos Alcaraz believes his blockbuster matches with Jannik Sinner will bring more fans to tennis after sensational China Open 2024 final

Carlos Alcaraz improved his head-to-head record against Jannik Sinner to 6-4 on Wednesday (October 2), beating the Italian in the final of the 2024 China Open. The Spaniard, however, believes that the real winner of the clash is tennis, as his blockbuster matches with Sinner are capable of bringing in new fans to the sport.

Facing off for the third time this year, Alcaraz and Sinner produced the longest match in the history of the China Open, playing two tiebreakers in three sets before the No. 2 seed ultimately prevailed 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3). The former has now won three of their most recent clashes, including the one earlier this year at the French Open on his way to the title.

Speaking at his press conference later, Carlos Alcaraz stated his belief that it was a "good thing" for tennis to see him and Sinner battle more often on the biggest stages, seeing as they produced a lot of moments that wow-ed fans, even those that did not regularly watch the sport.

"I'm start saying that when Jannik and I face each other, playing against each other, I think it's a really good thing for tennis because we always show a really intense match, really close match, great points, great rallies," Carlos Alcaraz said.

"I think for the people who don't watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches start to watch tennis or even practice it. I think it is pretty good," he added.

The World No. 3 further added that he tried his best to enjoy playing against Jannik Sinner, even if it was not always an easy match to get through. Nonetheless, the 21-year-old was proud of himself for all he had done to take the trophy home at the China Open, to finally put to bed the demons of his nightmare early exit from the US Open.

"I try to enjoy as much as I can playing against him, but it's not easy. I'm really happy. I mean, when you're able to beat one of the best, if not the best, tennis player in the world, obviously it seems like you're doing the right things, you're doing the right work," Carlos Alcaraz said.

"I'm proud about myself with everything I've done the last month, working really hard physically, on the court as well. It has been an intense month. But really happy to end it up with the trophy here in Beijing, with a really incredible match," he added.

Regardless of the loss, Sinner continues to maintain his hold on the World No. 1 spot, ahead of Alexander Zverev at No. 2 and Alcaraz at No. 3.

"I just tried to keep going" - Carlos Alcaraz on finding a second gear in the final set against Jannik Sinner in China Open final

2024 China Open - Day 10 - Source: Getty

At the press conference, Carlos Alcaraz conceded that it was a really close match that could have gone either way, adding that it was even possible that Jannik Sinner might have won in straight sets had he played just slightly worse.

The final set tiebreaker was one of those things that could have gone either way as well, with Alcaraz trailing 0-3 before winning seven straight points to wrap up the victory. Recalling that streak, the Spaniard acknowledged that he tried to play better after losing the opening set tiebreaker in close fashion, willing himself to keep playing good tennis instead of lamenting his missed opportunities.

"It was a really close match. I mean, Jannik could win in straight sets. I could win in two sets. I had my chances in the first set. Didn't take it," Carlos Alcaraz said.

"Yeah, I'm really happy with the way that I managed that moment. I lost the first set with a lot of opportunities. Didn't make it. Coming up in the second set, tried to clear my mind a little bit and just tried to keep going, playing a good tennis that I was doing the first set," he added.

Up next, Sinner and Alcaraz will both be in action at the Shanghai Masters, where they will be joined by the likes of Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev.