Five things to know about Arthur Rinderknech, who plays Carlos Alcaraz

ATP Tour

Five things to know about Arthur Rinderknech, who plays Carlos Alcaraz at US Open

Learn more about the 30-year-old Frenchman, who is into the fourth round at a major for the first time

Getty Images Arthur Rinderknech will face Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday at the US Open. By Sam Jacot

Arthur Rinderknech is making his mark this fortnight at the US Open, where he has advanced to the fourth round in New York for the first time. The 30-year-old will face his biggest test yet on Sunday when he meets former champion Carlos Alcaraz in the pair’s fourth Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

Ahead of the clash, ATPTour.com looks at five things to know about Rinderknech.

Frenchman’s New York breakthrough

Rinderknech had never been beyond the third round in his previous 19 major appearances but he has broken new ground this week in New York to reach the fourth round for the first time. The No. 82 player in the PIF ATP Rankings has defeated Roberto Carballes Baena, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Benjamin Bonzi and will now face Alcaraz on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday afternoon. World No. 2 Alcaraz is expecting a tricky test on court.

“He's really difficult to play against, really aggressive, big serve, trying to go to the net,” said Alcaraz, who beat Rinderknech at Flushing Meadows in 2021. “It is going to be really difficult.”

College roots in Texas

While many future pros were travelling on the junior circuit, Rinderknech was charting a different course, 8,000 kilometres from home. The Frenchman chose to play college tennis at Texas A&M University, spending four years in College Station, a town better known for college football than tennis.

“I felt like it was the best fit for me,” Rinderknech told ATPTour.com in the past. “I wasn’t the best in juniors. I was probably only ranked about fifth, sixth or seventh at my age in France, so I didn’t have much help. I wanted to keep playing tennis, not only go to school, and I could do both of them in the States, so that’s why I decided to go there. It was just a great experience and I kept improving.”

Business background

Rinderknech is already thinking about life away from tennis. A business graduate from Texas A&M, the Frenchman recently took part in the ATP Player Mentoring Programme, designed to help players explore career interests beyond the sport. He was mentored by Denise Melone, Managing Director at global communications agency Havas, gaining valuable insight into the business world. The initiative connects players with industry leaders to expand their professional networks and prepare for opportunities post-tennis.

Family support

Tennis runs deep in the Rinderknech family. His father, Pascal, runs a tennis club in Paris, while his mother, Virginie, once played professionally, winning a match at Roland Garros in 1986. Alongside his parents, the 30-year-old is supported by wife and former collegiate player at Texas A&M University, Hortense Boscher. The pair married earlier this year in France.

Captured first Top 10 wins earlier this year

Rinderknech has enjoyed success on the biggest stage already this season. He upset World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in five sets in the first round at Wimbledon to earn just the second Top 10 win of his career. His first arrived only two weeks prior at The Queen’s Club, where Rinderknech overcame American Ben Shelton. Can he make it a hat-trick of Top 10 victories against Alcaraz?

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