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Jannik Sinner started the clay season by meeting Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters, and it felt like a sign of what was to come. The Italian and the Spaniard have formed a fierce rivalry, battling for the sport's biggest titles. You would have been forgiven for thinking they'd meet in the French Open final in a few weeks' time, too.

But Alcaraz picked up a wrist injury in Barcelona and has not played since. The world No. 2 has already ruled himself out for the rest of the clay swing and has not even set a comeback date. Given that he saved three championship points to beat Sinner in the 2025 French Open final, nobody could have blamed the Italian if he felt a little relieved to see Alcaraz on the sidelines.

Instead, Sinner is gutted for his rival. When Alcaraz first announced that he'd miss Rome and Roland Garros - on top of skipping the Madrid Open - the world No. 1 said: "Tennis needs Carlos."

And the four-time Grand Slam champion has now given even more insight into their rivalry, explaining that they could have tense contests on the court and then act like "nothing happened" moments later.

"I mean, I definitely have a great friendship with Carlos, and I believe that helps also with some support here," Sinner said at the Madrid Open. "I think that it also goes both ways. When he plays in Italy, he has a nice and good support.

"Of course, when Carlos plays against an Italian player in Italy, you know, people, they support more the Italian player most likely. And here it's the same if I play against a Spanish player. I know that it's not personal.

"Me and Carlos, we have a great rivalry on the court. And off the court, you know, whenever we shake hands, it's like nothing happened. I think these people can see, and it's also nice. So, yeah, it's good for the sport."

It will be a while before Sinner can face Alcaraz on the court again, but the world No. 1 already has his eye on another Spanish rival - Rafael Jodar. The 19-year-old is having a breakthrough season. He won his maiden title in Marrakech and has since reached the semi-finals in Barcelona and the quarter-finals in Madrid, coincidentally losing to Sinner earlier this week.

And Sinner believes it was the first of many battles. Ahead of their first meeting, he explained: "It would be good if I face him before bigger tournaments coming up, Rome and then Roland Garros. Here are very unique conditions. He is from Madrid, so he is very used to these conditions here. But at the same time, I can have good, good feedback, hopefully, for bigger tournaments coming up."

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