Alcaraz: 'I went for it all the time'

If the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner was a book, it would be a thrilling page-turner that readers could not put down. The latest chapter, Alcaraz’s narrow victory against Sinner in an epic China Open final, delivered the highly-anticipated amount of enthrallment.

Back and forth with twists and turns mixed throughout, the ATP 500 final was edge-of-your-seat tennis for all three hours and 21 minutes, the longest match in tournament history. Alcaraz believes that matches like Wednesday's final bring an excitement that will attract new fans to the sport.

“I think for the people who don't watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches, [they] start to watch tennis or even practise it. I think it is pretty good,” Alcaraz said. “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.”

By winning his fourth title of the season, Alcaraz continued his perfect year against the World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Spaniard fell to Sinner a year ago in the Beijing semi-finals and has since won their three meetings in 2024: Indian Wells, Roland Garros and Beijing. Alcaraz now leads Sinner 6-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“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,” Alcaraz said.

“I'm proud of 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 I'm really happy to end it with the trophy here in Beijing, with a really incredible match.”

The 21-year-old’s 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) triumph against Sinner displayed everything fans love about both players. There was monstrous firepower from the baseline and superb shotmaking combined with court coverage that showcased their speed and agility.

It was also a testament to both players’ mental resilience. Alcaraz let slip a 5-2 lead in the opening set, which he eventually lost. The Spaniard held a break advantage in the decider, but was eventually pushed to a final-set tie-break.

“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,” Alcaraz said. “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, I tried to clear my mind a little bit and just tried to keep going, playing the good tennis that I was doing the first set.

“I think both of us showed a really high level of tennis. High level mentally, physically, until the last ball. Running from side to side, showing really good rallies, really good points in the tie-break of the third. I'm really happy to be able to get that win at the end.”

Alcaraz had his back against the wall in the final-set tie-break. Sinner had claimed 18 of his previous 19 tie-breaks, including one in the first set of the final, according to Infosys ATP Stats. The Italian struck two forehand winners on the first two points and then opened up a 3/0 lead.

But Alcaraz stormed back, tallying seven consecutive points to capture his 16th tour-level title.

“I just tried to keep going, tried not to think about anything else but the next point,” Alcaraz said. “I tried to play the same way I was playing. If I miss it, I miss it. I wanted to think that I went for it all the time. I say that's all that matters.”

Alcaraz became the first player to win an ATP 500 crown on all three surfaces (hard, clay and grass) in series history (since 2009). His eight-match win streak is a welcomed sight after suffering a shocking second-round upset at the US Open.

Alcaraz, who captured his 200th tour-level win in the Beijing second round, is up to second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin following his title run.

“It was a really special win for me, lifting this trophy in front of my team, part of my family. It was a great moment for me. I guess [Juan Carlos Ferrero] got emotional at the end because we all know what we went through the last month or the last two months. It was a really difficult moment on the court, off the court,” Alcaraz said.

“As I said in the speech, thanks to [my team], I started to get the joy back playing the matches, practising, I got motivated again. I really wanted to travel, to play tournaments again. Probably after the American swing, I was a little bit down, I didn't want to touch a racquet for a while. I didn't want to travel, let's say.

“After that, we talked a lot during those days, knowing that I have to be back practising, be stronger physically, be stronger mentally just to overcome those problems, let's say. The last month we've been working really, really hard on the court, off the court, just to be able to feel this moment again.”

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