“I hope we play some more.” That’s what a young Jannik Sinner told Carlos Alcaraz back in 2021, in their first match. Now, both aged 22 and 24, they’ve already met on court 15 times! This season alone, they’ve clashed in five finals: Rome, Paris, London, Cincinnati, and New York. They even battled in an exhibition in Riyadh, where Sinner took home $6 million. It’s clear they’ve started to write the story of their rivalry. Today, it’s known as the “Big Two.” But how do they really feel about seeing each other so many times in a season?

Both landed at the ATP Finals in Turin. During an interview for the ATP Finals with CNN, Sinner got the classic question. “At this point in the season have you had enough of each other? Have you still got things to say about each other?” Carlos didn’t hold back. “I said in the US Open I see him more than my mom, actually. So, I never get tired of him.” And it’s true!

After beating the Italian to reclaim his US Open crown and the No.1 spot, Carlos couldn’t help but laugh about how often they see each other these days.“Really, I just have to start with Jannik. It’s unbelievable what you’re doing during the whole season. Great level through every tournament you’re playing. I’m seeing you more than my family, so it’s great to share the court, share the locker room, share everything with you,” he said during the trophy ceremony in New York.

The Spaniard now holds the H2H lead at 10-5. But more than statistics, Alcaraz enjoys having the Italian across the net. Carlos took most of the wins this season, with Jannik Sinner grabbing only one, at Wimbledon. No match went quietly. They put on a show at the French Open, making history for the longest final ever played at Roland Garros. Jannik summed up the feeling. “It’s good and bad, you know? It’s kind of both, but no, no, we’re very happy to see each other.”

Now, they’re locked in a tug of war for the Year-End No.1 ranking and the ATP Finals crown. Sinner is the defending champion. He thrives on indoor hard courts, holding a winning streak of 27 matches. On the other hand, Carlos Alcaraz is chasing his first ATP Finals title. He struggled on this surface for the last two years, with his best showing in 2023, reaching the semifinals.

But this year, Carlos has caught fire. He’s not only knocked off Jannik Sinner and taken back the World No.1, he’s lifted eight trophies from 16 tournaments. His haul includes two Grand Slams and three Masters titles. Still, with both battling in Turin, the question lingers.

Is Carlos Alcaraz ready to face Sinner in Turin?

Right now, the 22-year-old stands just one win away from clinching the year-end World No. 1 spot, yet the ATP Finals showdown is far from decided. After a thrilling comeback victory over Taylor Fritz (7-5, 6-3) on Tuesday, he knows there’s a critical factor that could tip the scales in favor of his rival.

When asked about being so close to No. 1, he admitted, “I try not to think about it, to be honest. Obviously, it’s going to be a really big match for me. I will try not to let the nerves play a bad time for me in that match.” His focus is clear: stay calm and keep the pressure at bay. That’s somethin ghe showcased against the American today!

In the match against Fritz, Carlos Alcaraz dropped the first set in a tiebreak 6-7 (2) but bounced back to take the next two sets in nearly three hours. He now needs only to beat Lorenzo Musetti in the last round-robin match or win the semifinals to secure the top ranking for a second time.

Alcaraz fired 47 winners compared to Fritz’s 38 and overcame 14 aces from the American opponent to top the Jimmy Connors group. Fritz stands at 1-1, while Alex de Minaur and Lorenzo Musetti both hold 0-1 records. But the real threat could come from Sinner if Alcaraz lets his nerves get the better of him. However, Jannik Sinner thrives under pressure. Quite literally, he once proclaimed: “I like to dance in the pressure storm.”

And now, Carlos knows his biggest battle might be against himself. He said, “I’ll try to control the emotions, to control myself. I’ll think about my goals in the match. I’ll try to feel much better than today with my shots, with the serve, with everything.” If he can overcome these inner fears, he could not only claim his first ATP Finals title but also seal the year-end No. 1 spot and a record ninth title. What do you think?