Jannik Sinner gives his verdict on whether he and Carlos Alcaraz can be considered the Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton of the tennis world

Jannik Sinner recently responded to the comparisons made between his and Carlos Alcaraz's rivalry to that of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The Italian star, who is in partnership with F1, waved the chequered flag at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the 2024 season.

Sinner and Alcaraz are currently engaged in the most enthralling rivalry in tennis with the Spaniard narrowly leading 6-4. The two men also swept all the Grand Slams this year with Sinner prevailing at both the hard-court slams and Alcaraz conquering the Channel Slam.

During an interview with Corriere Della Sera, Sinner was asked if he felt like Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time F1 champion after he became the World No. 1. The Italian pointed out how the Dutch driver, much like himself, was also a family man first, then an athlete. He said (translated from Italian):

"I spoke with Max a little while ago, we were commenting on some of his words. He said that he doesn't chase other drivers' records, because he also loves being with his family. We are athletes, but we are also people: friends and family are the most important things. I try to do the best I can in tennis, starting tomorrow (today, ed. ) I will resume training in Dubai, but I think like him."

The reporter then questioned if he was similar to Verstappen, then could Carlos Alcaraz be called the Lewis Hamilton of tennis, alluding to the similarities between the high-profile F1 rivalry and the 'Sincaraz' rivalry, as called by tennis fans.

However, Jannik Sinner said that the seven-time F1 champion was a more seasoned racer which made the comparisons difficult.

"Hamilton has more experience, it's difficult to make comparisons even if on the field, as in the car, we are alone. But the solidity and consistency that Max has had is impressive," Sinner said.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen's rivalry reached its peak in 2021 when the two racers went into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with equal points. In a winner-take-all finale, it was the Dutch driver who overtook Hamilton in the final lap of the race to clinch the first of his four championships.

Hamilton had also congratulated Alcaraz after the Spaniard won Wimbledon 2024.

---

"I don't know how they do it" - Jannik Sinner highlights the difference between tennis players and racers

Jannik Sinner with Max Verstappen - Source: Getty

When asked to mention the difference between tennis players and professional racers, Jannik Sinner pointed out how the racers, unlike tennis players, would give interviews minutes before they went racing. He said in the aforementioned interview:

"I don't know how they do it: they interview them two minutes before getting in the car, they put on their helmets and off they go... In tennis it's not like that."

Sinner was not the only World No. 1 present at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He was joined by Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa and Grigor Dimitrov at the event.