Madrid Open Director Hopes for Alcaraz vs. Sinner Final

The European clay-court season is about to begin, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as prominent figures. Alcaraz, the current Monte Carlo champion, will seek to defend his title. Sinner, for his part, will try to score the most points possible in the Monegasque tournament.

Both tennis players, after their participation in Monte Carlo, will likely head to Spain for the Madrid Open. Feliciano López, the tournament director, has expressed his desire to see a final between Alcaraz and Sinner in this event.

López has expressed his enthusiasm for a possible match between both players in the Madrid Open final. The absence of Alcaraz last year due to injury and Sinner's subsequent return after a suspension add a special appeal to this edition of the tournament. Sinner started competing again right after Madrid; Rome was his first tournament.

Lopez recalled the exciting matches that have been seen in Madrid, including matches between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic, and Nadal and Federer, in addition to an epic encounter between Alcaraz and Nadal. He highlighted the importance of women's matches, mentioning the finals between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka as examples of great encounters.

Lopez also commented on Alcaraz's recent performance, who has had some unexpected results. After winning 16 consecutive matches at the start of the year, Alcaraz has lost two of his last three matches on the circuit, to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells and Sebastian Korda in Miami.

López explains that these results can happen to any player, highlighting the routine of tennis. He understands that a tennis player, for various reasons, such as being away from home or having personal problems, may experience ups and downs. What surprised him was the timing of their occurrence, since Alcaraz is at the best moment of his career.

López emphasizes Alcaraz's mental transformation in the last year and a half, considering him a much more stable and consistent player. Alcaraz has a projected schedule that includes the Monte Carlo Masters, the Barcelona Open, the Madrid Open, the Italian Open, and the Roland Garros.

López describes Alcaraz as an expressive person who says what he thinks, both on and off the court. He appreciates his frankness and his direct way of being. He understands that for many, seeing the world number one shout at his coach can be shocking, but contextualizes this reaction by knowing the tennis player's personality.

López highlights the burden that the obligation to win implies for Alcaraz and the comparisons with legends like Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. He considers it incredible how Alcaraz handles the pressure, facing matches with courage and audacity.

Alcaraz and Sinner have not yet faced each other this year on the ATP Tour, despite having coincided in four tournaments. At the Australian Open and Qatar Open, Sinner was eliminated before they could meet in the final. In Indian Wells and Miami, the opposite occurred: Alcaraz was unable to reach the final.

Alcaraz has 2 titles in 2024 (Australian Open, Qatar Open) and Sinner also has 2 (Indian Wells, Miami Open). The current ranking is: Alcaraz (1) and Sinner (2).