Tennis news: Carlos Alcaraz brutally trolled in Rome as Coco Gauff shows true colours

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Carlos Alcaraz hopes his first triumph at the Rome Masters won't be his last after beating Jannik Sinner in the final.

And the 22-year-old took time to praise his Italian rival following the match.

"I'm just really happy to get my first Rome [title], hopefully it's not going to be the last one," Alcaraz said.

"The first thing I want to say is that I'm just really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level.

"I'm sure it wasn't easy for him coming back after three months, and making the final is something insane, so I have to congratulate him.

"I'm proud of myself, with the way I approached the match mentally. Tactically, I think I played pretty well from the first point until the last one."

Carlos Alcaraz is the fifth-youngest player in the Open Era to win 10 or more ATP event titles on clay.

Mats Wilander, Rafael Nadal, Kent Carlsson and Bjorn Borg all came before him.

Carlos Alcaraz has become just the fifth player since 1990 to win three ATP Masters 1000 events on clay.

He joins Marcelo Rios, Gustavo Kuerten, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic!

Talk of a lineage of greatness...

Here's the moment Alcaraz clinched the Rome Masters title!

WOW.

Carlos Alcaraz has just demolished Jannik Sinner 6-1 in the second set to win his first Rome Masters title.

The Spaniard ends Sinner's 26-match win streak in fine fashion and has now beaten the world No. 1 in their last four matches.

Alcaraz saves two set points before sealing the opener 7-6, winning the tie-break 7-5!

That first set lasted 70 minutes! The Rome crowd are certainly getting their money's worth.

There's been nothing to separate the two players so far in the Rome final.

Alcaraz had the only chance of the match so far to break serve, having an advantage to move 3-2 ahead.

But Sinner recovered to hold serve, which Alcaraz did himself in the following game.

It has the makings of a classic, this.

We're almost ready to get going here in Rome, as Jannik Sinner takes on Carlos Alcaraz in a mouth-watering clash on the clay.

Stay tuned for regular updates!

Justine Henin believes Jannik Sinner is the hungriest player out there ahead of his Italian Open final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

"He's clearly worked incredibly hard physically in recent weeks," she told TNT Sports.

"He's coming in so fresh. What's incredible is finding his bearings so quickly and in this way. He's picking up on everything.

"He's picked up on all the signals, everything he could improve on, with great intelligence, since his first match in Rome.

"The message he's sending is that he wants to eat everyone alive. It's going to do everyone good, or it's going to scare everyone."

Former doubles player Luke Saville has urged Novak Djokovic to recall one of his former coaches as he eyes a return to winning ways.

Speaking on Tennis Channel, Saville said: "It's not easy to answer the question of whether Djokovic can still win a Grand Slam title, there are too many variables right now.

"After the end of his collaboration with Murray, I believe that Novak should seriously think about recalling Marian Vajda or Goran Ivanisevic.

"Both have had a very significant impact on his career and are perhaps the only ones who can help him.

"If the Serbian has another chance to win a Major, I doubt it will happen at Roland Garros. He definitely has a better chance at Wimbledon and the US Open."

Italian Open chiefs have the aim of making the tournament a fifth Grand Slam alongside the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

Angelo Binaghi, chairman of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, believes it would be only fair.

He said: "In what other part of society is there a monopoly that lasts for more than 100 years?

"Why are there always four and always the same four? It's absolutely unfair and doesn’t help tennis grow.

"We’re now the world champion both on the court and at the organisational level."

Andy Roddick believes Jannik Sinner might struggle to beat Carlos Alcaraz in today's Italian Open final.

"Alcaraz is capable of everything on the tennis court and it won't be easy for Sinner to put him in trouble on this surface," said Roddick.

"Carlos is undoubtedly the player who has the most weapons to defeat Jannik and he proved it again last season.

"Jannik had some difficulty moving in the last part of his match against Tommy Paul, which is why it will be interesting to see how he feels in the first games of the final."

Nick Kyrgios has listed his Sydney penthouse for auction before making his comeback at the French Open.

The property has a guide price of £869,485 but the Aussie tennis star is open to considering offers.

It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two undercover car spaces, a storage cage and a north-facing terrace with impressive views.

There are no tennis courts at the luxury complex, but there is a heated outdoor pool and plenty of green space.

Elina Svitolina has pulled out of the upcoming Strasbourg Open after picking up a minor injury in Rome.

It means she will travel straight to Paris for the French Open, which is due to begin in just over a week.

On Instagram, she wrote: "Just a little update to say that I have unfortunately had to withdraw from Strasbourg due to a little injury I picked up in Rome.

"You all know Strasbourg has a special place in my heart, it was the venue of my first WTA title as a mummy and I just love to play here in front of the amazing crowds.

"I want to wish Denis and his team another fantastic event and I hope to be back in 2026. Now I will turn my focus to Roland Garros. Thank you all for your understanding."

Jack Draper got slightly emotional while discussing how he was snubbed by his fellow players as a rookie at the Miami Open.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Brit said: "When I first came onto the tour, I remember being 340 in the world and I got a wild card into the Miami Open.

"I wrote my name down for practice and no one wanted to hit with me. They were all just crossing out my name and putting someone else's name.

"I think as you play more, as you win more matches, as you get to know the players and get to know that we're all the same, and we're all sacrificing our lives and trying to do the right thing in tennis and trying to go after our goals.

"That gains respect. And so I think, combined with results and just the person, I think that ultimately leads to more respect.

"People think it's all glitz and glamour, when actually, coming up through the ranks in the Futures, the Challengers, there’s thousands of players who are hungry to be in this position.

"And you have to go to some not amazing places and compete in front of no people and stay in the same place for a long time."

Coco Gauff sent a classy message to Jasmine Paolini after losing to the 29-year-old in yesterday's Italian Open final.

The American was humble in defeat, saying: "I've had a great time here in Rome.

"Been here so many times, lost in the semis twice so I was happy to make it here to the final.

"Congratulations to Jasmine on this incredible achievement. You are an incredible person and player.

"It's always tough playing you and good luck tomorrow in the doubles final. Hope you guys can take it home.

"I would like to thank everyone that makes this tournament possible, all the volunteers, staff, referees, ball kids.

"Obviously you guys, the crowd. You were supporting me for the majority of the week so I really appreciate it.

"I wanted to take the trophy home today but I know we put in a lot of work so hopefully I can leave with a big trophy next time."

Carlos Alcaraz was brutally trolled by a Catholic priest ahead of his Italian Open final showdown with Jannik Sinner.

The Spaniard recently took a trip to the Vatican, which he explored with the help of a local priest.

On Instagram, the priest joked about not knowing who Alcaraz was, writing: "Explained St Peter's Basilica to some guy who plays tennis."

He later admitted that he only became aware of Alcaraz's standing once their meeting had concluded.

The priest also playfully hinted at challenging the 22-year-old to a tennis match before wishing him luck in Rome.

Hello and welcome to Express Sport's rolling coverage of the Italian Open as we look ahead to the men's singles final.

Jannik Sinner will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the latest instalment of their growing rivalry with bragging rights on the line.

We'll be bringing you all the build-up and live score updates, as well as the best reaction when all is said and done.

Stay tuned...