Tennis fans have found a new rivalry to obsess over in the one between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The two have had some fierce encounters over the past year or two and have also shared a cordial relationship off the court.
However, is the bond between Alcaraz and Sinner really that close, or is it being pushed by the media and fans?
Former Pros Question Whether Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s Friendship Is Real or Just Hyped
That topic sparked a big discussion on the Nothing Major Show podcast, hosted by former American pros Sam Querrey, John Isner, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock. A fan asked if the media is forcing the idea that Alcaraz and Sinner are close friends, and the four hosts shared their opinions.
Jack Sock gave his honest take and said the Alcaraz–Sinner friendship feels more “made up” than real right now. According to him, Alcaraz seems more outgoing, while Sinner is quieter and keeps his circle small.
Sock thinks fans and media are trying too hard to recreate a Federer-Nadal storyline instead of letting things happen naturally. “I think because they’re retired now, not around, people are feening for that so much that they’re pushing this every tournament,” he said.
“Just because you dab somebody up and smile doesn’t mean you guys are like, really close friends. Maybe it turns into that over the years with the rivalry and everything, but I think at the current moment, I don’t think they are. I think it’s being pushed way harder than reality,” Sock added.
However, Querrey saw it differently. For him, Alcaraz and Sinner share the kind of normal bond that is usually seen between rivals. “I think they’re just as good of friends as, like, Roger and Rafa were in their prime,” he said. “Like Roger and Rafa were friends, but I never saw them like having dinner together or like hanging out in the lounge together.”
His point was that their relationship is not dramatic or emotional, it is just the typical respect seen between top players. “They know they have this amazing rivalry. And it is what it is. The exact same as Roger and Rafa,” Querrey added.
Johnson saw their bond as something that will grow later, not now. He thinks Alcaraz and Sinner get along fine, but they are too busy fighting for their place in history to become real friends yet.
“I think in 10 years these guys will be really close, but now, like, they’re fighting each other for their spot in, you know, the sports legacy and like the history. So I think…once they become older and they can look back with some practicality…then they’ll become really close,” he said.
Johnson also joked that he actually “wishes” they didn’t like each other, as it would be more entertaining that way. “I don’t think they dislike one another, which I wish they did because that would make for some great drama out there,” he added.
John Isner was convinced that Alcaraz and Sinner are already good friends. “I differ from you Jack, but I think they’re good friends,” he told Sock. However, he also admitted it might be more fun if they didn’t like each other. “It’d be better for ratings if they weren’t good friends, and they could sort of push that, right?” he added.
In the end, all four agreed that the two players respect each other. But their different answers made it clear that friendship in today’s tennis isn’t always dramatic or extra emotional, no matter what fans want to see.
Alcaraz and Sinner’s Opinions on Their Friendship
Both Sinner and Alcaraz have spoken about their relationship at different times, and their comments show how it has been developing over the years.
After the 2024 China Open final, Alcaraz was pretty honest about where things stand between him and Sinner. He told Sky Sports Tennis that while they get along well, they are not close friends. “Once we are on tour, travelling, at tournaments, on site, we are with our teams and on our own, so we don’t speak too much,” he said. He also said that they “talk a little bit besides tennis, about life, but not too much.”
But months later, Alcaraz sounded a bit softer about their bond. In an interview with TNT Sports before the 2025 ATP Finals, he said, “The relationship we have off court is really good. He is a really nice person. He has really nice people around him, which is great, having time to talk to him about life, not only tennis.” He also broke the common belief that rivals have to dislike one another.
Sinner also shared a similar perspective recently. When asked if he and Alcaraz are friends, he explained that today’s tennis is different, as players travel with their own big teams and naturally stick to smaller circles.
“With Carlos is also a bit different because of on-court reasons,” he told Turin Press. “We have a very good relationship, rivalry, call it however. I feel like we can talk about everything still. I think it’s great. We are good friends off the court. We do respect us in a very healthy way. Also the teams, my team, get along very well with them.”
Sinner also said that he is closer to others like Jack Draper and Reilly Opelka, but his relationship with Alcaraz is different.
