Carlos Alcaraz swells his chest and warns Jannik Sinner.

It was a beaming Carlos Alcaraz who appeared at the press conference after the Us Open victory that coincided with his return to the top of the ATP ranking. “Since I knew I had this chance to take back the number 1 ranking has become a goal of this season – he began -. And it is always nice to achieve the goals you set yourself. I hope I can keep the lead until the end of the year, but in the meantime, it is a dream to be here with the trophy in my hand and to have achieved this double goal. It is without a doubt the best tournament of my life, the way I played from the’beginning to the end”.

Of the same opinion is his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who called the Murcian’s performance in the final perfect: “Something that happens rarely and that has a lot of importance for me, since I know how strict he is in his analysis. But I think this time he is right (laughter, ed.), I played perfectly, otherwise someone like Sinner in a Slam final you don”t beat him.

A key to the match was Carlitos&#8217s unpredictability: “I play like this, it&#8217s my style: I feel I can do everything on the court, from slice to flat shots to volleys or short balls. I had to work a lot to add solidity and avoid errors, ever since I was a kid. But now I feel that this gives me a major advantage, especially when I am physically well and can get on every ball with ease. After all, that is what makes the difference”.

“Sinner predictable? I would not use that term, but I certainly know him well by now and know what to expect from him. Just as he watches so many of my matches to figure out what to do, the same way I do with him. I love how he plays and enjoy watching him, but there&#8217s also the study factor, to realize how to take certain countermeasures”.

Finally, he sent a message to his arch-rival: “I want to prepare well for the Australian Open, because that will be my next big goal, to complete the career Grand Slam. Then if it won&#8217t be this year, it will be the next one or in three or four years. But I want to get to that goal, that would be great. However, I have learned that you also have to enjoy the moment, take your time and appreciate the moments outside of tennis. That is what I will do again this time”.