NEW YORK (AP) — The rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz has reached a fever pitch, with their frequent encounters loaded with high stakes that have sharpened their understanding of each other’s game.
As the top-seeded Sinner, a vibrant 24-year-old from Italy, prepares to face No. 2 Alcaraz, a dynamic 22-year-old from Spain, this Sunday at the U.S. Open, they’re set to make history. This marks the first time in tennis that two men will duel in three consecutive Grand Slam finals within the same season.
“Both of us are aware of each other’s strategies, as we meticulously prepare for each match,” Sinner remarked, shrugging off any worries about an abdominal strain he sustained during his semifinal victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime. “But honestly, sometimes it’s a relief not to be up against him.”
Exciting news: Donald Trump has announced he will attend the Sinner vs. Alcaraz final at the US Open, the first sitting President to visit Flushing Meadows since Bill Clinton in 2000.
This highly-anticipated hard-court clash promises not only a championship title but also the coveted No. 1 ranking. Their rivalry intensified after Alcaraz’s dramatic comeback against Sinner on the clay courts of the French Open in June, where he saved three match points to claim his fifth Grand Slam. Sinner, however, triumphed over Alcaraz at Wimbledon just a month later, securing his fourth major title.
“Rivalries are fantastic for the sport,” Sinner said, striving to become the first man to win back-to-back U.S. Open titles since Roger Federer completed five in a row in 2008. “I thrive on these challenges and relish these competitive moments.”
While Sinner has been almost unstoppable in recent seasons, Alcaraz stands as the only player to consistently defeat him, leading their head-to-head series 9-5.
As Sinner strides into his fifth consecutive Grand Slam final, dating back to his U.S. Open victory last year, he boasts an impressive 33-1 record in majors during this period, with his only setback being against Alcaraz in Paris.
Since the beginning of 2024, Sinner has faced Alcaraz six times, winning once, and has a stellar overall record of 109-4 against all other competitors.
Alcaraz has been on a tear since May, with an exceptional 36-1 record, his sole loss coming against Sinner at Wimbledon — Alcaraz’s first defeat in a Grand Slam final. Currently, he leads the tour in victories (60) and titles (six) in 2025 and has reached the finals in his last eight tournaments.
“I’m focusing on maintaining consistency across matches, tournaments, and the entire year,” Alcaraz stated after defeating Novak Djokovic. “I aim to keep my performance level high from start to finish.”
“I’m quite proud of how I’ve managed my game during this tournament,” Alcaraz added, noting that he hasn’t dropped a set in the past two weeks, crediting his improving serve for this success. “I believe I’m maturing on the court.”
Adjustments Expected: No. 1 Sinner and No. 2 Alcaraz Gear Up for the Final
With such intimate knowledge of each other’s gameplay, both Alcaraz and Sinner are prepared to make adjustments as they step onto the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium court, where their riveting rivalry began in the 2022 quarterfinals — a night that concluded at 2:50 a.m. with Alcaraz emerging victorious.
“Naturally, Carlos will likely implement different strategies compared to the Wimbledon final, and we must prepare accordingly. There will definitely be tactical shifts from both sides,” said Simone Vagnozzi, one of Sinner’s coaches. “Adaptability is key, especially knowing Carlos’s ability to change tactics frequently.”
With ample history to analyze, Alcaraz reflected, “I’ll examine what worked and what didn’t in our previous matches to ensure my approach for the final is sound.”
These players represent the pinnacle of men’s tennis, regardless of the surface they compete on.
Whoever claims victory this Sunday will make it eight consecutive majors that end with either Sinner or Alcaraz hoisting the trophy.
“We are both well-rounded players,” Sinner noted. “We have our unique ways of adjusting our gameplay, and Carlos, in particular, excels at this.”
