Match Insights
Alcaraz Reflects on Sinner After Thrilling Nitto ATP Finals Showdown: ‘He Always Comes Back Stronger’
The Spaniard wraps up his season with an impressive 71-9 record, as noted by the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
Date: November 16, 2025
Image Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Alcaraz in action on the court in Turin.
By Sam Jacot
Carlos Alcaraz showered accolades on his formidable rival Jannik Sinner after their intense match at the Nitto ATP Finals on Sunday. Even though Alcaraz fell short in the Turin finals, he remained optimistic about his performance and acknowledged the challenge posed by Sinner in an indoor setting.
“At the beginning, I believed I could defeat him and compete effectively here,” recounted Alcaraz, referencing Sinner’s streak of 31 consecutive indoor victories. “I wasn’t surprised at how close it was. It all came down to the tennis. I’m genuinely pleased with how I performed today and confident that I will continue improving on indoor courts.”
“I’ve noticed significant advancements in Jannik’s game. As I’ve mentioned before, he always comes back stronger after defeats. He learns from his setbacks. He exemplified that once more, especially with his serving, which added immense pressure. Competing against him is incredibly challenging.”
While Alcaraz claimed victory in their previous encounter at the US Open final in September, Sinner showcased his resilience by clinching his second consecutive year-end title in Turin, reducing Alcaraz’s lead in their ongoing Lexus ATP Head2Head series to 6-10.
The final match was tightly contested. Alcaraz took a medical timeout for a hamstring issue while leading 5-4 in the first set, receiving treatment on his upper right leg. However, the World No. 1 insisted that this did not hinder his performance.
“I felt some discomfort in my hamstring while trying to retrieve a serve,” Alcaraz explained. “I can confidently say it didn’t hinder my performance because I was able to move well and reach the balls. Of course, I did have concerns about how my usual playing style might be affected, but I managed to adapt.”
In the second set, Alcaraz elevated his aggression and moved forward more frequently, initially gaining the upper hand before Sinner regained control to secure the match.
“My strategy didn’t change because of the injury; I adjusted because I felt the need to adopt a different approach,” Alcaraz elaborated on his tactical shifts. “I strive to play aggressively in every match, particularly against Jannik. I aimed to seize opportunities and press forward.”
“This strategy paid off when I took a break advantage. I was serving effectively, especially in the game at 3-2, where I made a few uncharacteristic errors. Overall, I consider my game plan effective today, and I am very content with my performance, as I made minimal mistakes, which is a positive outcome.”
After a strong round-robin stage, going 3-0, Alcaraz was honored with the ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF trophy on court at Inalpi Arena. The 22-year-old concluded his season with a remarkable 71-9 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, claiming a Tour-leading eight titles in 2025, including Grand Slams at Roland Garros and the US Open, as well as ATP Masters 1000 wins in Monte-Carlo, Rome, and Cincinnati. Alcaraz is set to wrap up his season next week at the Davis Cup Finals.
