Carlos Alcaraz says he is spurred on by Jannik Sinner’s success as he bids to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam at the upcoming Australian Open.
Spain’s Alcaraz, 21, has already won two Wimbledon titles, the US Open and the French Open.
Alcaraz’s idol, Rafael Nadal, became the youngest man in the Open era to complete the career Slam when he won the US Open in 2010.
World number three Alcaraz has never gone beyond the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.
Alcaraz and 23-year-old Sinner split the four Grand Slam titles between them last year, but the Italian is ranked as world number one after winning eight titles.
“The good thing for me is when I’m seeing him winning titles and at the top of the rankings, it forces me to practise harder every day,” Alcaraz said.
“In practice, I’m just thinking about the things I have to improve to play against him.
“I think it is great for me, having him, have such a great rivalry so far, just to give the best of me every day,” he said.
While Sinner leads the ATP rankings, Alcaraz edges their head-to-head record 6-4 after winning all three of their matches last season – including a French Open semi-final.
The pair cannot meet at the Australian Open until the final after being placed in opposite sides of the draw.
“When you face the best player in the world, you have to do something different, different preparation, or have a different mindset,” Alcaraz said.
“If I have a bad day against Jannik, it’s 99 percent that I’m going to lose. That’s what is in my mind every time I’m going to play against him,” he said.
The Australian Open begins on Sunday, with Alcaraz facing Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko in the first round.
