The Final "Sequel" to Sinner Versus Alcaraz Continues

Like a Harry Potter or Mission: Impossible film, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's rivalry on the tennis court has had sequels that have often become box office hits. Their last six meetings, five of which were in 2025, have always been in the final. Almost all of them have been close matches, captivating tennis fans.

The fifth competition this year will take place in the final of the US Open Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York, on the last day of the tournament, Sunday (7/9/2025) local time or Monday (8/9/2025) early morning WIB. Alcaraz reached the final after defeating the "veteran," Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2, in the semifinals, followed by Sinner who won against Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The competition for the men's singles championship title will be preceded by the women's singles final, on Saturday (6/9/2025) New York time or early Sunday morning WIB. The world number one and defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, will face Amanda Anisimova.

Unlike the women's singles, which featured Sabalenka as the favorite against Anisimova, who caused an upset among the other seeds, the final between Sinner and Alcaraz represents the most ideal scenario in the men's singles. This marks a meeting of two of the best players, not only based on world rankings but also on their performance.

Their competition at Flushing Meadows will mark a consecutive final in the last six meetings. This match serves as a continuation of the finals from two other Grand Slams in 2025, namely the French Open and Wimbledon.

Alcaraz won on the clay courts of Roland Garros in Paris, France, in five sets after saving three match points from Sinner. The match, which lasted five hours and 29 minutes, was their best rivalry to date.

A month later, Sinner struck back on the grass courts of the All England Club in London, England, to deny Alcaraz a hat trick. Although Alcaraz lost more quickly, in four sets, the match was no less captivating, highlighted by the skill of both players in striking the ball in difficult positions.

The two matches were part of five encounters in the Grand Slam arena, starting with the fourth round of Wimbledon 2022, which was won by Sinner. Each match lasted four or five sets, with each having a duration of more than three hours.

Two months after Wimbledon, Sinner and Alcaraz met again on the Grand Slam stage, in the quarterfinals of the US Open. This match would become the standard for future Grand Slam tournaments, which are played in the best-of-five sets format.

Alcaraz won 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 in a match that lasted five hours and 15 minutes. With high intensity throughout the game, this match is referred to as one of the best at the US Open. Alcaraz continued his journey to become the champion, marking his first Grand Slam title.

After falling behind Alcaraz, who added a Grand Slam title from Wimbledon 2023, Sinner closed the gap by winning the 2024 Australian Open. Since the competition at Melbourne Park in January 2024, Sinner and Alcaraz have remained unmatched by other players.

The tennis players, who are currently 24 and 22 years old, have surpassed the best players of the previous generation, such as Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, and Andrey Rublev. The last three names, in fact, have not won a Grand Slam either.

Three defeats out of four Grand Slams were experienced by them (Sinner and Alcaraz). They are too tough and play at a high level, causing me to always run out of energy after two sets.

In 2023, Djokovic can still compete with Alcaraz and Sinner. He demonstrated this by winning the Australian, French, and US Opens.

However, as physical fitness declines with age, Djokovic is struggling to keep pace with Sinner and Alcaraz. They have emerged to replace other formidable rivals who have retired, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic can still reach the semifinals in four Grand Slams in 2025; however, he cannot surpass Sinner or Alcaraz. Before losing to Alcaraz at the US Open, the 38-year-old tennis player was defeated by Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon. Meanwhile, at the Australian Open, Djokovic lost to Zverev, but he withdrew (due to a left foot injury) before the second set.

"I've lost three of my four Grand Slams to them (Sinner and Alcaraz). They're too tough and play at such a high level that I always run out of steam after two sets. Playing best-of-five against them is very difficult, especially in the later stages of a Grand Slam," Djokovic said after his loss to Alcaraz.

Djokovic, who won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2008 when Sinner was seven and Alcaraz was five, even said he would have a harder time competing with the two. "I have a better chance in the best-of-three match, but this doesn't mean I'm giving up on Grand Slams. I'll keep fighting to reach the final and add more trophies, but it will be a very tough task," said the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

For Sinner, the victory over Auger-Aliassime has led him to the finals of all Grand Slams in 2025. The Italian tennis player has even achieved this in five consecutive Grand Slams since winning the US Open in 2024.

He became the fourth male singles tennis player in the Open Era to reach the finals of four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season. Sinner matched Rod Laver, who accomplished this in 1969, as well as Federer (2006, 2007, 2009) and Djokovic (2015, 2021, 2023).

Sinner has matched the achievements of Nadal and Djokovic by reaching the Grand Slam final five consecutive times. Nadal accomplished this between 2011-2012 and Djokovic during 2020-2021. Djokovic once recorded a better result by reaching the final six times in a row from 2015-2016, and he only lost at the French Open in 2015.

Above them, there is only one tennis player with a better record, namely Federer. He reached the finals eight consecutive times from 2008 to 2010. Before that era, Federer even reached ten consecutive finals from 2005 to 2007. Out of those ten finals, "the maestro" won eight times, with two losses at the French Open in 2006 and 2007 against Nadal.

"This is an extraordinary season for me. The Grand Slam is a very important tournament every year. When I can reach the final, wherever it may be, it feels special," said Sinner, who has won three out of his four previous finals.

To match Alcaraz, who has five Grand Slam titles, Sinner must defeat his rival. With a record of 14 encounters (Sinner has lost nine times), they are well aware of each other's playing styles.

"Our rivalry began here (US Open 2022) in an extraordinary match. Currently, we have become two different characters. We have often met and gotten to know each other well. Let's see what will happen next," said Sinner.

Before meeting at the US Open, they actually faced each other in the final of one of the warm-up tournaments, the ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati. However, Sinner was unable to complete the match and withdrew while trailing 0-5 in the first set. His physical condition had not been fit since the day before the final.

When facing Auger-Aliassime at Arthur Ashe, Sinner received treatment for his abdomen after losing the second set. He felt pain while serving, but his condition improved after receiving medical treatment off the court. To his fans, Sinner emphasized that there is nothing to worry about.

As Sinner prepares to compete in his fifth consecutive Grand Slam final, Alcaraz has the opportunity to achieve a record that no other player has accomplished. He could become the first player to win the men's singles title at Flushing Meadows without losing a set in the Open Era.

The Spanish tennis player always won three sets in six matches and only lost 58 games in 18 sets. "That aligns with my target, striving for consistency in every match, in every tournament, and generally throughout this year. I am also learning to better understand what needs to be done both on and off the court," he said.

If he can pull off the difficult task of defeating Sinner in straight sets, Alcaraz will equal the feat of his predecessors. Only five men's singles players have won a Grand Slam without dropping a set across different tournaments and eras: Ken Rosewall, Ilie Nastase, Bjorn Borg, Federer, and Nadal. Nadal achieved this feat four times at the French Open.

In addition to the different statistical records that have been and will be achieved, Sinner and Alcaraz have the same stake in the upcoming final, which is the status of the world's number one tennis player.

Sinner has held that position for 65 weeks since June 10, 2024. However, that position could be taken over by Alcaraz if Sinner loses in the final.

Alcaraz once held the top ranking in the world for a total of 36 weeks across different weeks. This moment was first experienced after winning the 2022 US Open, making him the youngest world number one at the age of 19. (AP/AFP)

Jannik Sinner – Carlos Alcaraz 5-9

(Grand Slam : 2-3, Final : 2-4)

Round II of the ATP Masters 1000 Paris 2021, Alcaraz won 7-6 (1), 6-5

Wimbledon 2022 Round IV, Sinner wins 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-3

ATP 250 Umag 2022 Final, Sinner wins 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-1

2022 US Open quarterfinals, Alcaraz wins 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3

ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells 2023 semifinal, Alcaraz won 7-6 (4), 6-3

ATP Masters 1000 Miami 2023 semifinal, Sinner wins 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2

ATP 500 Beijing 2023 semifinals, Sinner wins 7-6 (4), 6-1

ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells 2024 semifinals, Alcaraz wins 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

2024 French Open semifinals, Alcaraz wins 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

ATP 500 Beijing 2024 Final, Alcaraz wins 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3)

ATP Masters 1000 Rome 2025 Final, Alcaraz wins 7-6 (5), 6-1

2025 French Open Final, Alcaraz wins 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2)

2025 Wimbledon Final, Sinner wins 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4

ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati 2025 Final, Alcaraz wins 5-0 (Sinner retires)