Jannik Sinner Open to Losing Matches to Evolve & Beat Alcaraz

ATP Tour

Sinner Embraces Change to Conquer Alcaraz

Italian ace drops to World No. 2 following yet another defeat against Alcaraz, marking his seventh loss in their last eight encounters.

September 08, 2025

After an intense battle that resulted in his seventh defeat in eight encounters against Carlos Alcaraz—and a loss of the coveted World No. 1 ranking—Jannik Sinner recognizes that adapting is essential.

The 24-year-old Italian fell short in four sets during the US Open final on Sunday, and in a reflective moment, he pledged to revamp his strategies. In his post-match press conference, Sinner admitted that he had grown too ‘predictable’ and emphasized the necessity to evolve his game if he wants to reclaim victory against Alcaraz.

“Today, I was quite predictable on the court. He made varied plays and switched up his game. That’s just his style,” Sinner remarked after his defeat, which ended with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. “It’s now up to me to decide whether to make those adjustments.”

“Your approach against Carlos varies depending on how you have performed leading up to the match. For example, during this tournament, I didn’t employ serve-volley tactics or use drop shots effectively. I went into the match feeling too comfortable, but against Carlos, comfort won’t cut it.”

“I might even have to accept some losses moving forward to become more unpredictable and to enhance my overall game. At the end of the day, enhancing my skills is what it’s all about.”

Sinner, once nearly unbeatable on hard courts, entered the Flushing Meadows final with an impressive 27-match unbeaten streak at major tournaments on the surface. Yet Alcaraz has now taken him down four consecutive times on what was previously Sinner’s forte.

Sinner’s strength has largely stemmed from his ability to dominate opponents from the baseline, a strategy that helped him clinch his first Wimbledon title in July. However, with the No. 1 ranking at stake during the US Open, Sinner found himself bested by Alcaraz, who delivered double the number of winners (42 compared to Sinner’s 21) during their gripping two-hour, 42-minute showdown.

“He’s improved significantly. He executed shots more cleanly today. The plays that worked for me in London, he performed even better today,” reflected Sinner, drawing comparisons between their encounters at Wimbledon and the US Open. “He executed everything slightly better today, especially his serves from both sides.”

“I commend him for rising to the occasion when it mattered most. While I am proud of my season, it’s clear he was the superior player today.”

Despite failing to defend his US Open title and dropping to World No. 2, Sinner takes pride in his accomplishments throughout 2025. With victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, alongside appearances in finals at Roland Garros and the US Open, he joins the elite few in the Open Era to reach the championship in all four Grand Slams within a single season.

“Overall, what an incredible season!” exclaimed Sinner. “Reaching four Grand Slam finals, winning two, and coming in second twice is nothing short of remarkable. I’m thrilled and determined to finish the year on a high note.”

With his 65-week reign as the world’s top player now over, Sinner finds himself pursuing rather than being pursued—a shift he’s optimistic will benefit him.

“Sometimes small adjustments can yield significant results. I plan to tweak a few aspects of my serve—minor changes that could make a big difference,” he stated. “I’m eager to face these challenges again. Now that I’m not ranked No. 1, I’ll need to adapt to this new mindset.”

Sinner concludes his journey in New York with a commendable 37-5 record for the season, as highlighted by the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

Now trailing Alcaraz by 2,590 points in the ongoing PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, the reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion is primed to close the gap as the season reaches its thrilling conclusion, continuing the battle for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honors.