French Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz terms Jannik Sinner 'best in the world' ahead of semifinal clash

A place in the final of the French Open will be up for grabs on Friday (June 7) when Carlos Alcaraz takes on Italian Jannik Sinner in the semifinal clash. Sinner, who beat Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open to win the whole thing, will target back-to-back Grand Slam titles when he squares off against the defending Wimbledon champion. After beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 in an easy contest, Alcaraz spoke highly of his next opponent terming him the “best player in the world” at the moment.

Alcaraz full of praise for Sinner

"I think right now he's the best player in the world, the player who's playing the best tennis right now,” Alcaraz said after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinal on Tuesday.

"We've played great matches, high level," said Alcaraz. "I'm grateful to have him on the tour, at this level because he pushes me to be my best level... to wake up in the morning to try to get better to try to beat him.

"It's going to be a really good challenge, I'm ready for that challenge. It's the match that everybody wants to watch."

"I'm sure he'll show his best tennis, I will as well, so let's see who's going to win," said Alcaraz.

French Open 2024 will be significant as there will be a passing of the baton in men’s tennis. This year will be the first time in over two decades that neither Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer will be part of the French Open semifinals.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner are hungry for success and have already achieved Grand Slam glory in their brief careers. While both will carry the baton of success in men’s tennis for time to come, on Friday only one can reach the final of the French Open.

While it will be a first semifinal appearance for Sinner in the French Open semis, Alcaraz will be playing his second having also reached the same stage in 2023. He then lost to Novak Djokovic in a four-set contest. But a win will see him get one step closer to the French Open title and could see him become just the fifth other player to lift the title in the last two decades.