Jannik Sinner’s remarkable hard-court streak in Grand Slam tennis has finally come to an end, with the Italian falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final at Flushing Meadows.
Sinner had won 27 consecutive matches across the Australian and US Opens, a run that included his maiden Grand Slam triumph in Melbourne in January 2024.
But on Sunday night, Alcaraz delivered a dominant display to reclaim the crown with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory.
For Alcaraz, the result was a measure of redemption. Defeat to Sinner in July’s Wimbledon final had stung the Spaniard, who admitted afterwards that he had reshaped his training regime in response.
Jannik Sinner was forced to settle for being runner-up after being emphatically beaten by Carlos Alcaraz
|REUTERS
The changes paid off as his fiery serving and relentless baseline hitting overwhelmed the top seed in New York.
It marked Alcaraz’s sixth win in seven meetings against his rival, with Wimbledon the sole blemish in their growing rivalry.
For Sinner, there was little to do but acknowledge his opponent’s brilliance.
“You were better than me,” Sinner told Alcaraz during the trophy ceremony. “I tried my best. I couldn’t do more.”
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Reflecting on his performance, the 23-year-old conceded that his game had become too predictable - while also admitting he was prepared to lose some matches in order to evolve in the long run.
“He did many things, he changed up the game. That’s also his style of how he plays," he added.
"Now it’s going to be on me if I want to make changes or not.
"We are going to work on that. I’m going to aim to, maybe even losing some matches from now on, but trying to do some changes, trying to be a bit more unpredictable as a player, because I think that’s what I have to do, trying to become a better tennis player.”
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King Carlos 👑
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2025
The Spaniard defeats Sinner in four sets to claim his second US Open trophy! pic.twitter.com/C2jBm7F178
The defeat also ended Sinner’s 65-week reign as world No 1, a spell that began in June 2024 and included three months when he retained top spot despite serving a suspension for a doping violation.
Alcaraz, by contrast, now returns to the summit of the rankings for the first time in nearly two years.
While disappointed, Sinner insisted the new dynamic of chasing rather than defending the No 1 ranking could benefit his development.
“I’m going to change a couple of things on the serve, just small things, but they can make big differences. Then we see how it goes. I’m looking forward to play again these matches,” he said.
“Something new is now I’m not No 1 anymore, so you know, it also changes a little bit that you chase.
"It’s different. Then we see.”
The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has already shaped the men’s game in 2025, producing Grand Slam finals in Paris, London, and now New York.
With Alcaraz holding six majors at just 22 and Sinner still searching for a way to consistently counter him, the stage is set for their duel to define an era.
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Jannik Sinner embraces Carlos Alcaraz following his defeat in the final of the US Open
|REUTERS
For Sinner, the task is clear: adapt, evolve, and close the gap.
For Alcaraz, Sunday night was confirmation that he remains the man to beat.