Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner give Luca Van Assche a memorable experience | ATP Tour

Next Gen Influences

My Influences: What's it like to hit with Alcaraz & Sinner? Van Assche reveals all

A Frenchman talks about idols

November 20, 2024

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be on the other side of the net from Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner? According to Luca Van Assche, the speed of the ball, the explosive movement and the clean timing make it one of the greatest sports tests.

As part of our Next Gen 'My Influence' series, the Frenchman broke the cover when he met Alcaraz and Sinner, the finalists of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by the PIF champions this year.

Van Assche, currently fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, also discusses his memories of facing 2018 champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in Melbourne, the support of his family and early memories of Roland Garros.

Which Next Gen ATP Finals presented by the PIF champion did you identify with the most?
It is difficult because there are many different players. But outside of my game, I think I connect [most] it's the first one [champion]Hyeon Chung. You are very strong. Physically he is very beautiful. He can hit a lot from the start with a very good backhand. I think some guys aren't really my type of game.

What is the most memorable interaction you have had with Next Gen alumni?
I played against [Stefanos] Tsitsipas this year at the Australian Open. It was my first time in the third round. It was fun. I practiced with him again. I played Medjedovic last year with others, I think I just trained with Sinner, Alcaraz and Nakashima.

What stood out to you about these guys when you played with them?
Of course, they have great games. Moni and Alcaraz, number one and number two in the world. With Alcaraz, I trained with him this year at Roland Garros, just before the tournament. Yes, his front is unbelievable. His intensity on the training ground is great. With Sinner, I trained with him this year in Monte-Carlo. His ability to take the ball early and play very quickly – it's crazy.

Read more
My Influences: Shang in Alcaraz knowledge and parental support
My Influences: How Sinner helped Fonseca make this critical decision…
My Influences: Gaubas opens the 'amazing' experience of Alcaraz
My Impressions: Tien trusts the process and jumps at Michelsen
My Influences: Quinn on Sinner's 'support' and Paul's mentoring

What is your first memory of watching professional tennis?
When I was a child, I watched a lot of sports. Every year I watched Roland Garros on TV. I watched the Davis Cup when France played.

Is there a Roland Garros match you remember watching?
Yes I saw Novak-Rafa 9-7 in the fifth [in 2013]. Then I saw the final against [David] Ferrer. I went to Roland Garros for a few years when I was a kid. I was living in Lyon and I went to see the quarterfinals. I saw Tommy Haas face Djokovic in the quarters [in 2013]. I saw Nadal against Ferrer, also in the quarter-finals [in 2014]. I went to the train in the morning with my family, we went there, watched the game and returned to Lyon in the evening. They were fond memories. On TV, I think every afternoon after school I would go home and put it on the TV.

Who have been some of the common influences in your life over the years, whether parents, early coaches, other people who have influenced you?
I think my parents because I lived with them since I was little and I still live with them. They gave me their education. The person I am now is because of them. I think with my coach Yannick Quere. From the age of 11 until this year, I was only with him and I see him more than my family. You are an incredible person too. I grew up with him a lot.

Do you have any lessons you learned from your parents or coach?
My parents taught me a lot—that I need to be a humble person, work hard to achieve what I want to achieve. Basic in life, but very important. I think Yannick, too, had the same mindset as my parents. Yes, it is very important to play well in tennis because he was my tennis coach, but the most important is also the part outside the court. You need to be a good person, not just a good tennis player. That's the little they taught me.