World Cup-winning rugby captain Kolisi weighs in on Alcaraz vs. Sinner: ‘It’s enormous’

ATP Tour

World Cup-winning rugby captain Kolisi weighs in on Alcaraz vs. Sinner: ‘It’s enormous’

Springbok icon, a pal of Felix and Federer, visits Nitto ATP Finals

November 16, 2025

Similar to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Siya Kolisi loved the style of victory on Saturday in Turin.

A two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain with South Africa, Kolisi led the Springboks to a 32-14 victory towards Italy on the metropolis’s Allianz Stadium, simply as residence favorite Sinner was sinking Alex de Minaur to ebook his championship-match spot on the Nitto ATP Finals.

A number of hours later, Kolisi was inside Inalpi Enviornment to observe Alcaraz down Felix Auger-Aliassime and set a blockbuster title match together with his nice rival Sinner. Will probably be the sixth Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly between the 2 in 2025 and Kolisi, who’s an enormous tennis fan, understands the importance of the pair’s rivalry.

“I’m very excited. I believe it’s enormous,” Kolisi informed ATPTour.com forward of Sunday’s closing, scheduled for six p.m. CET/midday ET on Sunday. “Clearly, Sinner has residence benefit right here. He’s from right here, however I don’t assume that’s going to play on Alcaraz’s thoughts as a result of he’s such a strong participant and he confirmed tonight what he’s able to. Will probably be nice.”

WILD @SiyaKolisi response to assembly @carlosalcaraz for the primary time 😂😂😂#NittoATPFinals | #Kolisi pic.twitter.com/mfRBoSdLtV

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 15, 2025

Kolisi first met Alcaraz earlier within the week in Turin and didn’t cover his pleasure at crossing paths with the No. 1 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings. He additionally lastly caught up in individual with Auger-Aliassime, with whom he has incessantly exchanged messages of assist over social media.

“It was the primary time I’ve seen Carlos play reside and in addition the primary time I’ve seen Felix play reside,” mentioned the 32-year-old Kolisi after witnessing Alcaraz’s 6-2, 6-4 semi-final triumph. “I got here to the event due to Felix. [He and I] have been speaking on social media and supporting one another. We already deliberate on assembly, and this was the chance to fulfill.

“[The match] was good. It was powerful. Alcaraz was very highly effective right this moment, however you’ll be able to’t take away from the hassle of Felix as properly. Alcaraz deserved the match, however Felix will stand up once more.”

Felix Auger-Aliassime/Siya Kolisi” type=”width: 100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/pictures/information/2025/11/15/23/54/auger-aliassime-kolisi-nitto-atp-finals-2025.jpg”>
Felix Auger-Aliassime greets Siya Kolisi on Saturday night time on the Nitto ATP Finals. Picture Credit score: Jack Howell/ATP Tour

Auger-Aliassime shouldn’t be the primary tennis star that Kolisi has befriended. He has been shut with Roger Federer ever because the former World No. 1 got here out in assist of the Springboks through the 2019 Rugby World Cup (Federer’s mom, Lynette, is from South Africa). The rugby star quoted the Swiss when requested what he most admired about tennis gamers and the way in which they compete.

“I’ve discovered from listening to Roger Federer converse,” mentioned Kolisi. “Whenever you lose a degree, you need to neglect it and transfer onto the subsequent one. He says he has misplaced many factors, however he’s gained [so many] matches. It’s the flexibility to maneuver on. You lose a degree and you then change your mindset to win the subsequent one. Additionally whenever you win one, you’ll be able to’t dwell on it. Simply transfer onto the subsequent one. This mindset is so robust and highly effective.”

Kolisi, who led his nation to Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, has since joined Federer on journeys supporting the Roger Federer Basis, which helps early schooling programmes in six nations together with South Africa and Switzerland. Nevertheless, their friendship has not but stretched to taking part in tennis collectively. Kolisi is prepared, however not sure his abilities hit the required grade to take to courtroom with a six-time Nitto ATP Finals champion.

“I’ve tried to play tennis, however I suck,” mentioned Kolisi. “I might like to play [with Roger]. He does a charity match, and I might like to play in it someday. I suck, there’s no different approach to put it, however I’ll begin someplace!”