Alcaraz and Sinner have firmly established themselves as the two dominant forces on the ATP Tour in 2025, sharing all four Grand Slam titles between them.
Alcaraz lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon final but has otherwise bested the Italian in every meeting this year.
“I know he’s going to change,” Alcaraz said about Sinner.
“He is going to change something from the last match. It’s the same thing that I did when I lost to him a couple of times. I tried to be a better player. Next time I’m going to face him I expect him to do the same thing, to change a few things just to be ready, and I have to be focused and I have to be ready for the changes.
“I will try to overcome those changes (and) be ready for that rivalry. I think it’s getting better for me and for tennis. We will see in the future how many times I’m going to play against him and in which circumstances we would play. But I think right now it’s going great.”
Sinner has said he is working on a lot of “small things” as he aims to get back to world No. 1 after losing top spot following the US Open final.
“We’ve been reflecting a lot on that final, we are working on new things,” said Sinner, who is returning to action in Beijing this week.
“We are changing a lot of small things. The amount of mistakes at the moment is for sure a little bit higher, but I hope that this recovers.
“It’s just a question of time. I don’t know how much I’m able to (implement changes) on the actual match court because one thing is practice and one thing is match. Let’s see. I’m very motivated. It’s great to work on something new, then we see how this ends up. We always try to move forward. One step in front is always better than two steps back. Let’s see what we can do.”
Alcaraz wants to be at ‘same table as legends’
Alcaraz’s two Grand Slam titles this season have taken his career total to six.
He also has an ATP Tour-leading 62 wins this season, just three short of his personal best of 65, and has won a tour-leading seven titles.
“My goal in tennis is to try to be at the same table as the legends, the best players in history,” said Alcaraz, who returns to ATP Tour action this week at the Tokyo Open after playing at the Laver Cup.
“But it’s not something I’m thinking about right now. I’ve achieved great things already at just 22 years old. I already know that, but I don’t know in the future how many things or how many tournaments I’m going to achieve.
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WATCH – Bizarre moment Zverev completely ignores Alcaraz’s advice
Video credit: TNT Sports
“I think it’s something I have to take care of every day, about the details, about everything, practicing well, and we will see in the future. Nobody knows the future.
“So what I’m thinking right now is to do the good things that I’ve been doing, following the good path. I’m trying to be the best player and the best person I can be every day. That’s all I’m thinking right now.”
Alcaraz is making his debut in Tokyo after clashing with Sinner in the Beijing final last year.
He meets Sebastian Baez in his opening match on Thursday and could play Chengdu champion Alejandro Tabilo in the second round.
“I know it is a great tournament. I know the players who have played this tournament before and the players who have won this tournament before,” Alcaraz said.
“I just really wanted to come here, play great tennis, perform well and try to win the trophy. That’s why I’m here just to feel great on court, giving myself the chance to win the trophy to win the tournament. At the end of the week, I just really want to put my name next to the past champions that I know it’s an honour to be next to, to those names as well.”
