When the final ATP rankings are released for 2025, it will indicate Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the No. 1 spot and Italy’s Jannik Sinner at No. 2.
That’s what it will read in print. But, likely in both players’ minds and in the musings of many tennis observers, Sinner should stand the tallest in this calendar year.
The 24-year old thrilled the partisan Italian crowd in Turin with a 7-6 (4), 7-5 victory over his rival to defend his Nitto ATP Finals title.
It was just Sinner’s second win over Alcaraz in 2025, coming four months after he lifted the trophy after their match at Wimbledon. Prior to the triumph in London, Sinner had dropped championship matches to Alcaraz in Rome and Paris (Roland Garros), while falling during the summer months in Cincinnati and New York (U.S. Open).
“We are individual athletes but without my team, this is not possible. Celebrating this trophy at the end of the year after such an intense last couple of months, there is no better ending,” said Sinner. “It was a very, very close match. I saved a set point in the first set and I am extremely happy with how I handled the situation and it means the world to me.”
There was some drama in the first set, as Alcaraz took a medical timeout while leading, 5-4 for an ailing upper right leg issue.
There was not a break point chance until the 12th game of the set, but Sinner fended off Alcaraz with a big second-serve on a set point for the Spaniard and sent the proceedings to a tiebreaker. With a mini-break at 5-4, the lanky Italian held his two service points and won his ninth consecutive set in Turin.
But Alcaraz bounced right back, winning four of five points on Sinner’s serve and led 3-1. But errors crept into his game and Sinner capitalized, breaking serve in the sixth game. Sinner stuck his nose in front at 6-5 and matched Alcaraz point-for-point in the next game. He earned a break point, and when Alcaraz sent a backhand wide, Sinner collapsed onto his favorite surface and let the moment of victory sink in.
Sinner extended his indoor court winning streak to 31 and was never broken in five matches.
Alcaraz made 15 unforced errors in the second set and uncharacteristically lost 8 of 14 net points.
“I am really happy with the level I played today,” Alcaraz said post-match. “He (Sinner) is someone who has not lost a match on an indoor court for two years now, so that means how great a player you are. Putting in great work with your team every time. You come back even stronger after every loss, you don’t have many. A well-deserved final.”
Alcaraz and Sinner have captured the last eight majors and two ATP Finals, dating back to 2023, when Novak Djokovic won the U.S. Open and ATP Finals.
“It was tough today,” Sinner added. “Playing against Carlos, you have to play at your best. I was serving very well at times but he is one of the best returners in the game. Obviously Novak is in there. But I am very happy. It was a tough match but it means a lot to me ending the season like this. It is amazing.”
So the No. 1 debate may rage on until the 2026 Australian Open in January.
What is certain, though, is that the current location for the top two players is several floors above the rest.
–Field Level Media
