Reflections on a paused rivalry

Ahead of the 2026 Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London, Carlos Alcaraz discussed his paused rivalry with world number one Jannik Sinner during an interview with BBC Sport. Physical injuries limited both players to a single head-to-head match in 2026, when Sinner defeated Alcaraz on 12 April in the Monte Carlo Masters final. Alcaraz spent four months away from the tour due to a right wrist injury suffered at the Conde de Godo tournament in April before returning at the US Open in September. Sinner won titles at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and Wimbledon before sustaining right knee tendinopathy that ruled him out of the US Open. Alcaraz noted that their competitive dynamic pushes him to raise his level.

“I miss him, I miss seeing him around and playing against him. He pushes me to become a better player. People are eagerly waiting for these matches, so I think it will be good to resume them.”

Sinner nears return for Asian swing

Sinner is preparing to return to competition at the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing, which begins on 30 September. The Italian trained at full capacity over the past ten days, holding sessions in Monte Carlo with world number seven Flavio Cobolli, who spoke to SuperTennis about learning from the world number one. Sinner is scheduled to stop in Milan on 25 September for Fashion Week, where his partner Leila Hasanovic is participating, before departing for China. In Beijing, where Sinner won the 2025 title against Learner Tien, he will be the top seed ahead of second seed Alexander Zverev. Novak Djokovic will also enter the Beijing tournament following a ten-year absence, while Alcaraz competes at the Japan Open in Tokyo.

Rankings battle and Turin qualification

Sinner enters the autumn swing having held the ATP world number one ranking for 90 weeks, but Alexander Zverev has narrowed the margin after winning Roland Garros and the US Open in 2026. Zverev currently leads the ATP Race to Turin, placing Sinner second ahead of defending titles won in 2025 in Beijing, Vienna, Paris, and Turin. Both Sinner and Alcaraz have qualified for the 2026 Nitto ATP Finals, taking place from 15 to 22 November at the Inalpi Arena in Turin. Alcaraz qualified for his fifth consecutive Finals and holds a career 7-5 record at the tournament, having reached the 2025 final before losing in two sets to Sinner.

Team Europe convenes in London

Alcaraz first leads Team Europe at the Laver Cup from 25 to 27 September under captain Yannick Noah. The European roster features Alexander Zverev, Flavio Cobolli, Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, and Rafa Jodar. Team Europe faces Team World, whose lineup includes Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Francisco Cerundolo, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima, and Alexander Bublik. Europe aims to reclaim the trophy at the O2 Arena after losing the previous edition. Concurrently, the Asian swing began in Chengdu, where Italian lucky loser Federico Cina advanced alongside Lorenzo Sonego.