LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Carlos Alcaraz insisted his intense rivalry with Jannik Sinner will drive him to new heights after his reign as Wimbledon champion was shattered by the relentless Italian on Sunday.

Alcaraz was beaten 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 by Sinner in the All England Club final, denying the Spaniard a third successive Wimbledon crown.

It was a bitter blow for the 22-year-old, who had hoped to follow his epic French Open final triumph against Sinner in June with another victory over the world No. 1.

Instead, it was Sinner who held aloft the trophy after clinching his third title in the Last Four Grand Slams.

While Sinner has won the 2024 US Open and the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, Alcaraz has only claimed the Roland Garros silverware in the same period.

But the world No. 2 believes competing with Sinner is a benefit because it forces him to raise his own game.

"I'm just really happy about having this rivalry with him. I think it's great for us, and it is great for tennis," Alcaraz said.

"Every time we're playing against each other, I think our level is really high. I think we don't watch a level like this, if I'm honest with you. I don't see any player playing against each other, having the level that we are playing when we face each other."

And the El Palmar-native predicted his battles with 23-year-old Sinner will only get better.