ATP Tour
Rivalries: Alcaraz vs. Sinner
Alcaraz leads Lexus ATP Head2Head collection 9-5 forward of US Open closing
September 06, 2025
ATP Tour/Getty Pictures
By ATP Workers
The Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has quickly developed into one of the absorbing rivalries in current reminiscence. With bruising ball-striking and unimaginable agility, Alcaraz and Sinner have clashed on a number of the largest levels in tennis.
On Sunday on the US Open, the pair will face off for the fifth time this season inside the most important tennis-only stadium on the earth: Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sinner will bid for his fifth Grand Slam title and his third of 2025, whereas Alcaraz is aiming for his sixth main crown. There may be additionally one other prize on provide in New York: Whoever wins will on Monday be No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings.
Earlier in 2025, the 2 stars took their rivalry to new heights within the 2025 Roland Garros closing, through which Alcaraz rallied from two units down and saved three championship factors en path to beautiful Sinner and efficiently defending his title on the clay-court main. Followers have been then handled to a second consecutive Grand Slam closing between the pair only a month later, when Sinner prevailed in 4 units to seal his maiden Wimbledon crown.
In addition to incomes him his first main title away from arduous courts, Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph towards Alcaraz was necessary within the context of the duo’s rivalry. Previous to their conflict at SW19, Alcaraz had earned 5 consecutive wins towards the Italian.
ATPTour.com appears again in any respect 14 of Alcaraz and Sinner’s earlier tour-level conferences.
Cincinnati Open, 2025, Last, Alcaraz d. Sinner 5-0, ret.
It might not have been the ending he envisioned, however Alcaraz lastly lifted the Cincinnati Open trophy after defending champion Sinner was pressured to retire simply 23 minutes into their closing.
Sinner was using a 26-match successful streak on arduous courts, and with their Lexus ATP Head2Head collection — in addition to the battle for ATP Yr-Finish No. 1 introduced by PIF honours — heating up, it had all of the elements for an exciting encounter. However, after trailing 0-5 and calling for the physician, Sinner conceded the match and later apologised to followers through the trophy ceremony.
“I am tremendous, tremendous sorry to disappoint you [but] from yesterday I did not really feel nice,” Sinner instructed followers. “I assumed that I’d enhance through the night time, however I got here up worse. I attempted to come back out, tried to make it no less than a small match, however I couldn’t deal with extra, so I’m very sorry.”
The end result gave Alcaraz a significant increase within the battle for Yr-Finish No. 1, extending his lead over Sinner to 1,890 factors within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Turin. Along with his eighth ATP Masters 1000 trophy, Alcaraz turned the lively participant with essentially the most titles at that stage in addition to Novak Djokovic (40).
Alcaraz had come agonisingly near Cincinnati glory in 2023, letting slip a championship level earlier than falling to Djokovic in an epic closing. This time, when the chance arose, he lastly had the prospect to carry the trophy, and he took it — albeit following Sinner’s early retirement.
Wimbledon, 2025, Last, Sinner d. Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
One of the best ways to bounce again from a tricky loss to a rival is by exacting swift revenge, and Sinner did simply that at 2025 Wimbledon.
Simply 5 weeks after letting slip three championship factors in a heartbreaking closing defeat at Roland Garros, Sinner responded by denying Alcaraz a 3rd consecutive title on the grass main. The Italian saved his cool after dropping the opening set on Centre Court docket to turn out to be the primary Italian, man or girl, to assert a Wimbledon singles crown.
“it’s largely emotional, as a result of I had a really robust loss in Paris,” mentioned Sinner on the trophy ceremony. “However on the finish of the day, it doesn’t actually matter the way you win or the way you lose at necessary tournaments, you simply have to know what you probably did improper and attempt to work on that, and that’s precisely what we did. We tried to simply accept the loss and simply saved working.
“That is for certain one of many causes I’m holding this trophy right here. I’m simply so grateful that I’m wholesome and have nice individuals round me, and holding this trophy means so much.”
Sinner more and more took command on function one other high-quality encounter between the nice rivals wore on. He halted Alcaraz’s five-match successful streak within the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry with an aggressive-yet-measured efficiency through which he transformed 4 of 9 break factors he earned.
“I’m actually blissful for you,” mentioned Alcaraz to Sinner after he tasted defeat for the primary time in six main finals. “So simply preserve it going, and I’m actually blissful to have the ability to construct a very good relationship off the courtroom however then a great rivalry on the courtroom. It makes me enhance each day, so thanks very a lot and congratulations.”
Jannik Sinner/Carlos Alcaraz” model=”width: 100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/photographs/information/2025/07/13/19/04/sinner-alcaraz-wimbledon-2025-trophies.jpg”>
Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Pictures
Roland Garros, 2025, Last, Alcaraz d. Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2)
No one will quickly overlook the primary assembly between Alcaraz and Sinner in a Grand Slam closing.
Alcaraz entered the match as defending champion and stuffed with confidence after ATP Masters 1000 title runs in Monte-Carlo and Rome, together with a victory towards Sinner in Italy. However the No. 1 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings didn’t lose a set en path to the ultimate and confirmed his prime type to take a two-sets lead within the championship conflict.
Sinner’s energy, precision and consistency proved an excessive amount of to deal with and regardless of letting slip a break benefit within the third set, he was nonetheless in management returning at 5-3, 0/40 within the fourth set. In that second, Alcaraz wanted to avoid wasting three championship factors simply to increase the match, and that he did.
The Spaniard raised his stage to super heights and the celebrity heavyweights slugged it out for the remainder of the match, capturing the eye of numerous followers all over the world. Sinner confirmed his coronary heart within the fifth set when he retrieved a late service break, nevertheless it was not sufficient. Alcaraz performed an almost good final-set tie-break to assert his fifth main trophy.
“This one was essentially the most thrilling match that I’ve performed thus far, undoubtedly,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I feel the match had all the things: actually good moments, actually dangerous moments. Simply actually, actually blissful. I am proud about how I handled all the things at this time.”
Carlos Alcaraz” model=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/photographs/information/2025/06/08/21/52/alcaraz-roland-garros-2025-trophy-smile.jpg”>
Photograph: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Internazionali BNL d’Italia, 2025, Last, Alcaraz d. Sinner 7-6(5), 6-1
Alcaraz has turn out to be fairly accustomed to snapping Sinner’s prolonged successful streaks in current instances, and their championship-match conflict in Rome was no completely different. The Spaniard delivered a high-quality show all through the one-hour, 44-minute contest to finish Sinner’s 26-match run.
Whereas Sinner, the No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings, had the backing of a boisterous house crowd within the Italian capital, it was Alcaraz who displayed nerves of metal to stay centered on the duty at hand. The Spaniard saved two consecutive set factors on serve at 5-6 within the opener, the primary with an unreturned serve, earlier than edging Sinner in an aesthetic tie-break to take the lead after 70 minutes.
Alcaraz then reignited a few of his most dazzling clay-court shotmaking to race by means of the second set in scientific style. He pulled Sinner back and forth earlier than executing a trademark drop shot to carry serve for 3-0, and the path to victory was quickly clear. Sinner, competing in his first match in three months, displayed a robust stage all through the week, however was unable to include Alcaraz, who fired 18 winners to the Italian’s seven.
“I’m pleased with myself, with the way in which I approached the match mentally,” mentioned Alcaraz. “Tactically, I feel I performed fairly nicely from the primary level till the final one. I didn’t do a rollercoaster… I maintained my good stage all through the entire match, so I’m actually proud about all the things I did at this time.
“I’m simply actually blissful to see Jannik again at this wonderful stage. I’m certain it wasn’t simple for him coming again after three months and making the ultimate of a Masters 1000 in his first match [back]. It’s one thing insane, so I’ve to congratulate him.”
By claiming his nineteenth tour-level title, Alcaraz tied Sinner for essentially the most amongst gamers born within the 2000s, highlighting the gripping nature of their rivalry. They shared a heartfelt embrace on the finish of the match, after Alcaraz fittingly completed with a stretched volley winner after luring Sinner in with a drop shot.
China Open 2024, Last, Alcaraz d. Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3)
It was as a lot a psychological chess match as a bodily showdown, a real take a look at of resilience for the complete three hours and 21 minutes — the longest match in Beijing match historical past. Alcaraz prevailed by means of the twists and turns, securing his third consecutive victory towards the Italian.
Dealing with off in a championship match for simply the second time, Alcaraz and Sinner delivered upon the extremely anticipated pleasure. There was monstrous firepower from the baseline and very good shotmaking mixed with courtroom protection that showcased each gamers’ velocity and agility. In Alcaraz’s opinion, it was the type of edge-of-your-seat match that evokes others to strive the game.
“I feel for the individuals who do not watch tennis, most likely thanks to those type of matches, [they] begin to watch tennis and even practise it,” Alcaraz mentioned.
Alcaraz let slip a 5-2 lead within the opening set, which he ultimately misplaced in a tie-break. World No. 1 Sinner had now claimed 18 of his earlier 19 tie-breaks, so when he led 3/0 within the deciding-set tie-break, it appeared the Italian was set to efficiently defend his ATP 500 crown. However Alcaraz unleashed free hitting underneath stress and tallied seven consecutive factors to carry the trophy. The Spaniard’s win introduced his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero to tears.
“Whenever you’re capable of beat among the finest, if not the perfect, tennis participant on the earth, clearly it looks as if you are doing the correct issues, you are doing the correct work,” Alcaraz mentioned.
Regardless of the heartbreak of defeat, Sinner was capable of look again on the conflict in a constructive method.
“I really feel prefer it’s at all times nice once we meet,” Sinner mentioned. “We attempt to push ourself and one another to the bounds. He for me is a [reference] level of the place I work.”
Roland Garros 2024, SF, Alcaraz d. Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Each stars entered the Roland Garros semi-finals eager to achieve their first closing on the clay-court main. Alcaraz and Sinner had every entered the match with an damage concern, however discovered their type and labored their approach to the final 4.
Sinner got here flying out of the gates, surging to a set-and-a-break benefit. However because the Italian started to make extra unforced errors, Alcaraz raised his stage to flip the momentum of the match.
The Italian suffered from cramp in his hand and arm early within the third set, however managed to dig deep to take a two-sets-to-one benefit. From there, Alcaraz once more turned the match round and his capacity to maneouvre himself into successful positions in rallies proved the distinction.
The Spaniard hit 65 winners in comparison with 39 for Sinner, and rallied to achieve the ultimate after 4 hours and 9 minutes.
Whereas it was a disappointing loss for Sinner, the 22-year-old was already assured to climb to No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings for the primary time on the Monday after the match.
BNP Paribas Open 2024, SF, Alcaraz d. Sinner 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
Sinner entered his semi-final conflict towards Alcaraz on the BNP Paribas in March unbeaten on the season. The Italian was an ideal 16-0 on the 12 months, having received his maiden main title on the Australian Open in January.
Sinner had performed flawlessly by means of the primary three months of the season and entered the match as slight favorite with Alcaraz stepping onto courtroom 11-3 on the 12 months. The 22-year-old’s favorite tag appeared justified after the opening set, with Sinner cruising right into a 6-1 lead. Sinner produced the right begin, hitting six winners to Alcaraz’s one, in response to Infosys ATP Stats.
Nonetheless, Alcaraz didn’t give up. The Spaniard fought by means of the opening sport of set two and earned an important maintain to stem the tide. He eradicated the early errors that plagued him within the opening set and started to seek out his footing in lengthy rallies, discovering higher selection to stage. The 21-year-old continued to combine up his ways within the closing set and misplaced simply three factors on serve in a one-sided decider. By shifting again to “Medvedev territory” on return, he harm Sinner with massive cuts to start the purpose and infrequently started the rallies on the entrance foot.
After two hours and 5 minutes, Alcaraz sealed victory on his third match level to finish Sinner’s unbeaten begin to the season. Along with his win, Alcaraz superior to his his sixth ATP Masters 1000 closing (4-1), denying Sinner his fourth on the time (1-2). It was Alcaraz’s first tour-level closing since he misplaced to Novak Djokovic within the earlier August in a Cincinnati epic; he had been 0-4 in semi-finals since that defeat.
“I stayed robust mentally,” mentioned Alcaraz, who pointed to his head after the win. “I feel that is a very necessary half on this sport. You need to be robust mentally if you wish to overcome these type of matches, a set down towards somebody that is enjoying an unbelievable sport. I am actually proud of the issues that I’ve carried out after that.
“I modified my model a bit of bit, I modified my sport a bit of bit and I feel it labored very nicely. I am actually blissful to beat Jannik and be within the closing once more.”
Alcaraz then confronted Medvedev within the closing, cruising to a straight units win to clinch his fifth Masters 1000 title.
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Photograph Credit score: Getty Pictures
China Open 2023, SF, Sinner d. Alcaraz 7-6(4), 6-1
After Alcaraz received 7-4 tie-breaks to open every of their earlier two matches, Sinner claimed the opening-set tie-break by the identical scoreline on the China Open.
In a marathon opening body, Sinner twice got here again from a break down. He started to take management by shifting Alcaraz across the baseline and successful all 15 of his web factors within the set.
After navigating a tense opening to the second set, combating off 5 break factors throughout his first two service video games, Sinner sprinted by means of the end line.
“For certain within the very prime [of the big matches I’ve played],” the Italian mentioned of the win. “I’d say each match towards him could be very robust. We at all times present nice respect, we each play nice. After we play towards one another, we attempt to keep on our limits.”
Sinner adopted up the victory by beating Medvedev within the Beijing closing to assert his fourth tour-level title of the season, equalling his personal-best tally from 2021.
Miami Open presented by Itau, SF, Sinner d. Alcaraz 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2
Two weeks after their Indian Wells showdown, Sinner gained swift revenge with a comeback victory on the Miami Open presented by Itau. In a show-stopping semi-final, Sinner received one of many factors of the 12 months: an action-packed 25-ball rally that ended with a fragile, dipping passing shot to convey the group to its ft.
Regardless of that second of magic — and early leads in all three units — Sinner was on the ropes when he confronted two break factors at 3-4 within the second. However the Italian answered the bell with a match-changing surge, successful 19 of 21 factors to take the set and construct a 2-0 lead within the decider.
Alcaraz gave the impression to be struggling bodily early in set three, however he willed his approach to one closing push. In the long run, his 22 winners weren’t sufficient to beat 28 off the racquet of his opponent.
“It means so much. We each performed a really, very excessive stage of tennis once more. I simply tried my greatest,” Sinner mentioned after advancing to his second Miami closing. “We each tried to play very aggressive tennis and at this time it went my method so I am very blissful.”
Sinner was crushed by Daniil Medvedev within the Miami closing however went on to win his first ATP Masters 1000 title later within the season in Toronto.
BNP Paribas Open 2023, SF, Alcaraz d. Sinner 7-6(4), 6-3
Alcaraz captured his third ATP Masters 1000 crown on the BNP Paribas Open in 2023, returning to No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings following his triumph. The Spaniard didn’t drop a set en path to the title, however was pushed the toughest by Sinner within the pair’s semi-final conflict in Indian Wells.
In one other entertaining battle, the majority of the drama got here in a back-and-forth opening set as Sinner took full benefit of a dip in stage from his opponent to show a 2-4 deficit right into a 5-4 lead, successful 11 straight factors within the course of. Sinner saved the stress on to create a set level at 6-5, however a uniquely Alcaraz mixture — massive serve, drop shot, volley winner — erased the prospect and ensured the set can be determined in a tie-break.
Inspired by his escape, the Spaniard powered by means of the tie-break and carried his momentum into set two, when he consolidated an early break with a point-of-the-season contender, planting a topspin lob on the baseline after a Sinner dipper pressured him to retreat from the online. He later wriggled out of 0/30 to carry for 5-2, and served out the match with ease behind a pair of punishing forehand winners.
“I am actually blissful to get by means of this nice match. Jannik clearly is a very nice participant with nice pictures,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I’d say we will have an important rivalry over time. We’re enjoying in the perfect tournaments on the earth. It is not over right here. We’re going to play a whole lot of nice matches.”
US Open 2022, QF, Alcaraz d. Sinner 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3
In one of many matches of the 2022 season, Alcaraz and Sinner battled late into the New York night time. Throughout 5 hours and quarter-hour of twists and turns, the one fixed was elite tennis and tireless effort from each males. Alcaraz and Sinner took turns lighting up Arthur Ashe Stadium, flashing their super athleticism and energy in equal measures.
Sinner dominated the third-set tie-break to take a two-sets-to-one lead and carried his momentum into the fourth set as he scored an prompt break. However the fearless Alcaraz erased a match level with Sinner serving at 5-4 and went on a run of 4 straight video games to pressure a fifth set. Once more trailing by a break, the Spaniard repeated that feat by successful 4 video games in a row within the fifth set to assert victory at 2:50 a.m.
“Truthfully, I nonetheless do not know the way I did it,” Alcaraz mentioned. “You need to consider in your self. I believed in my sport. It was actually tough to shut out the match. I attempted to remain calm, however it’s tough within the second.
“The vitality I acquired on this courtroom at 3 a.m., it was unbelievable. In all probability in different tournaments, everyone [would go] to their home to relaxation. However they [stayed] within the courtroom, supporting me. It was unbelievable.”
Alcaraz went on to assert his first main title at Flushing Meadows and by doing so he turned the youngest World No. 1 within the historical past of the PIF ATP Rankings.
Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag 2022, Last, Sinner d. Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-1
Dealing with off in a championship match for the primary time, it was Sinner who recovered from dropping the opening set to spoil Alcaraz’s title defence in Croatia.
An important maintain of serve within the second sport of the second set was essential to Sinner’s triumph. Already going through stress after falling a set behind, the Italian fended off six break factors in that sport alone, stopping a possible runaway victory for Alcaraz. Sinner broke the Spaniard’s serve instantly within the subsequent sport and charged to the ATP 250 crown.
“That was an important level [of the match],” mentioned Sinner. “I knew I needed to keep there. I used to be very blissful that I received this sport. Then I returned nicely and raised my stage a bit of bit, and I feel I discovered an answer then.”
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz” model=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/photographs/information/2022/08/01/00/38/sinner-alcaraz-umag-2022-final.jpg?w=100percent25″>Photograph Credit score: Croatia Open Umag
Wimbledon 2022, Fourth Spherical, Sinner d. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3
Simply hours after Wimbledon appeared again to rejoice the one hundredth anniversary of Centre Court docket, Sinner and Alcaraz supplied a glimpse of the longer term with their first Grand Slam assembly within the fourth spherical.
Within the first Centre Court docket match for each, Sinner overwhelmed Alcaraz along with his pure ball-striking and had two match factors to wrap up a straight-sets win earlier than Alcaraz discovered his rhythm to take the third-set tie-break. After changing on his fourth set level, the Spaniard raised his racquet, soaking within the crowd’s roar.
Because the match grew extra bodily, Sinner stemmed the tide with two battling holds to open the fourth set, then scored the decisive break to edge ever nearer to his third main quarter-final. After lacking out on three additional match factors on return at 5-3, Sinner saved a break level as he served out one of the entertaining matches of the fortnight. A forehand winner — Sinner’s thirty fifth of the match — accomplished the victory after three hours and 35 minutes.
“Carlos is a really robust opponent and a really good particular person, so it’s at all times an enormous pleasure for me to play towards him,” mentioned Sinner, who would fall to Novak Djokovic in 5 units within the quarter-finals.
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Photograph Credit score: Adrian Dennis/Getty Pictures
Rolex Paris Masters 2021, Second Spherical, Alcaraz d. Sinner 7-6(1), 7-5
“I feel Jannik and I’ll have an important rivalry sooner or later,” was a near-prophetic remark from Alcaraz after he upset World No. 9 Sinner of their first tour-level assembly.
Alcaraz, then 18 years outdated and World No. 35 within the PIF ATP Rankings, showcased his courageous shot choice and heavy hitting to down the eighth seed Sinner, who was competing as a High 10 participant for the primary time that week. Alcaraz created 11 break possibilities, changing two of them, in response to Infosys ATP Stats.
Court docket 1 on the Rolex Paris Masters will without end be the stomping grounds of the Alcaraz vs. Sinner rivalry, although the Spaniard had beforehand crushed the Italian 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 as an unranked 15-year-old on his ATP Challenger Tour debut at Alicante in April 2019, when Sinner was World No. 319.
