Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry is 'what tennis needs'

Jannik Sinner believes his battle for supremacy with fellow French Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz could become the defining rivalry of their era, and it is something the sport needs with its golden generation of players calling time on their careers.

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The world No. 1 beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) in a generational battle on Court Philippe Chatrier on June 6 to deny his Serbian opponent a record 25th Grand Slam.

The 23-year-old Italian, who is seeking his fourth Slam title, booked a mouth-watering clash on June 8 with Alcaraz, who aims to retain his Roland Garros title and add a fifth Major crown.

With Djokovic now the only active member of tennis' "Big Four" who also included Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray and yielded a collective 69 Slam titles in more than two decades, Sinner sensed an opportunity for himself and Alcaraz.

"It takes time to compare us with the Big Three or Big Four, no? Only time can tell, to be honest," he said.

"For sure, from my point of view, he's (Alcaraz) a player who makes me a better player.