Source :- THE AGE NEWS
By Roy Ward
Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz admits his rivalry with world No.1 Jannik Sinner was driving him to new levels on the eve of the Australian Open.
The No.3 seed won both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in 2024 but finished the year behind Sinner in the world rankings after the Italian won the Australian Open and US Open.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts in his charity match against Alex de Minaur ahead of the Australian Open on Wednesday evening.Credit: Getty Images
Alcaraz will begin his campaign at Melbourne Park against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko in the opening round on Monday.
“When I’m playing against him, I have a different mindset,” Alcaraz said.
“When you are facing the best player in the world, you have to do something different.
“Different preparation, mindset, whatever. When I play him, I know I have to play my best if I want to win. If I have a bad day against him, it’s 99 per cent chance you are going to lose.
“When I see him win titles or be top of the rankings, it forces me to work harder and focus on the things I have to improve to.
“Having such a great rivalry so far, it brings out the best from me.”
Alcaraz has also changed his service motion ahead of the 2025 season, and he hopes it will give him better rhythm and precision as he chases more grand slams and the chance to take the top ranking from Sinner.
“[I have a] good rhythm – before the biggest issue I had was with rhythm,” Alcaraz said.
“With this one, I will have a good rhythm and hit in the right spot every time. I need to fix the precision, be more precise, and a good rhythm will help a lot.”
Jones welcomes Barty comparisons but says she has a long way to go
Australian teenager Emerson Jones is proud to be compared to former world No.1 Ash Barty but is determined to chart her own course to the top, starting with her Australian Open debut this week.
The 16-year-old wildcard was a world No.1 at junior level and impressed at the Adelaide International, where she lost a tight round of 16 match to the ninth-ranked Daria Kasatkina.
Emerson Jones swings for a forehand at the Adelaide International in January.Credit: Getty Images
The Australian will face the highest-ranked opponent of her career when she takes on No.6 seed Elena Rybakina in the opening round at Melbourne Park.
Jones said watching Barty rocket to grand slam glory and the world No.1 ranking was an inspiration for her growing up.
“I think it’s great when people say I follow in Ash Barty’s footsteps,” Jones said on Saturday.
“She was a crazy tennis player, [with] unreal results. I’ve obviously got my own journey.
“I think it’s pretty special when people say that, but it’s going to take a lot for me to get where she was.”
Jones said Barty was a source of advice for her and had hit with her and offered support before she played in the junior slams at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon.
Jones’ coach Carlos Cuadrado says she’s improved substantially in the break between seasons and backed her against any player – no matter how highly ranked.
“She can beat anybody,” Cuadrado said. “[Watching the lead up matches] I realised she lifts her levels when she plays against better players which is a good skill to have.”
More to come.
Watch all the Australian Open action live on Nine, 9Now and Stan from Sunday, January 12.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
