"I hope I can have a rivalry like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer had... It could be with Jannik Sinner" - Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz recently expressed a desire to emulate Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer by creating a similar rivalry with one of his peers, possibly Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz and Sinner played a close three-setter in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters a week ago. Sinner, who was on a 19-match unbeaten streak coming into the match, looked on course for victory as he took the first set 6-1.

Alcaraz, however, had other plans as he outplayed Sinner from the baseline over the next two sets, eventually recording a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. Overall the two players have met eight times on the tour thus far, and will likely face off many more times in the future.

Speaking to the ATP Tour in Miami, Carlos Alcaraz was asked to give his thoughts on Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer's rivalry. In response, the Spaniard asserted that the two legends taught him how pushing beyond his limits would help him go farther in the sport.

"They (Nadal and Federer) have had a very beautiful and demanding rivalry at the same time. What I have learned from this rivalry is that you can never fall behind or give up or settle," Carlos Alcaraz told the ATP Tour.

"You always have to improve, you always have to raise your level. It doesn't matter if you think that you are at your maximum level, that you can't give more, you can always give a little more. That's what they have shown for so many years that they have been up there."

The 20-year-old added that he wanted his rivalry with his peers - including Jannik Sinner - to have a similar impact as the famed 'Fedal' did in their heyday.

"Every time one of them lost to the other, they tried to be better to win the next time. And they have done it for a long time, which is something incredible and worth admiring. I hope I can have a rivalry like the one they have had. Right now, the way people look at it, it could be with Jannik," he said.

"I hope both Jannik and I have a long and beautiful future ahead of us. That way I hope that I can give my best level and continue growing thanks to him while I see the level he is having," Alcaraz added.

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Carlos Alcaraz is tied 4-4 with Jannik Sinner in tour-level matches

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz greet each other at Wimbledon 2022

Carlos Alcaraz's budding rivalry with Jannik Sinner has received a lot of attention over the last few years. The two youngsters have split their eight career meetings on the ATP Tour, with their head-to-head tied at 4-4.

Alcaraz beat Sinner for the first time at the 2021 Paris Masters. The Italian fired back the following year, winning their next two encounters - in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon and the final of the Umag Open.

In the quarterfinals of the 2022 US Open, however, Alcaraz saved a match point before overcoming Sinner in five tumultuous sets. The Spaniard went on to secure his maiden title at Flushing Meadows that year, beating Casper Ruud in the final.

The two players have split their last four matches. Sinner won at the Miami Masters and China Open in 2023, while Alcaraz has triumphed in both of their Indian Wells contests over the last two years.