Sinner Fires Back at Alcaraz's Scheduling Criticism Ahead of Shanghai Masters

As the 2025 Shanghai Masters gets underway, all eyes are on the highly anticipated match-up between Italian player Jannik Sinner and Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. Both players have delivered impressive performances in recent years, engaging in unforgettable duels on the court.

However, tensions have recently flared between the two rivals, with Alcaraz criticizing the tournament's scheduling. Alcaraz commented, "I think that the schedule is really tight. They have to do something with the schedule," drawing attention to the current tournament planning. His remarks were echoed by Iga Swiatek, who has also voiced concerns about the WTA schedule, highlighting widespread frustrations among top players.

Sinner, the former world No. 1, has now fired back at Alcaraz's comments, sparking a wave of reactions and debates within the tennis community. "I don't want to criticize anything. For me, everyone thinks in different ways," Sinner said, emphasizing that each player must make choices based on their own goals and priorities.

Reflecting on his own approach, Sinner added, "I always made choices, even last year, you know, sometimes jumping some tournaments. The schedule is what it is." He continued, "If you want to play a tournament, you have to play tournament. If not, you make another choice to rest or practice, you know, that's it. So, yeah, it is what it is." Sinner's comments highlight the practical challenges players face in navigating the crowded tennis calendar.

The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has captivated fans and analysts alike, with their duels producing some of the most memorable matches in recent tennis history. As the Shanghai Masters unfolds, the off-court debate over tournament scheduling is sure to add another layer of intrigue to this burgeoning rivalry.