By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty
Carlos Alcaraz learned a vital lesson dethroning Jannik Sinner to win the US Open this month.
The top-ranked Spaniard says Sinner will aim to flip the tactical script and comeback even stronger when the world’s top two collide on court again.
“I know he’s going to change something from the last match,” Alcaraz told the media in Tokyo.
“It’s the same thing that I did when I lost to him a couple of times, I tried to be a better player the next time I was going to face him. I have to be focused and I have to be ready for that change.”
Nearly three weeks ago, a dynamic Alcaraz dethroned defending champion Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to capture his second US Open championship and supplant Sinner as world No. 1.
The 22-year-old Spaniard claimed his sixth career Grand Slam championship, avenged his four-set defeat to Sinner in the Wimbledon final and collected a Grand Slam record $5 Million champion’s check.
“When you achieve the goals you set up yourself at the beginning of the year, it feels amazing,” Alcaraz said. “Since I got the chance to recover the No. 1, it was one of the first goals that I had during the seasons, just to try to recover the No. 1 as soon as possible or end the year as the No. 1.
“For me, achieve that once again, it is, as I said, it is a dream. Doing in the same day as getting another Grand Slam feels even better. It’s everything I’m working for, and I’m really happy to be able to live these experiences.”
The pair made Open Era history as the first men to contest three consecutive Grand Slam finals.
At 22 years and 125 days, Alcaraz is the second youngest man in Open Era to win six Grand Slam titles. The stylish Spaniard is the fourth man in history to win multiple Grand Slam titles on clay (2), grass (2) and hard courts (2).
Alcaraz, praised by John McEnroe as the “most complete” player he’s seen, said he expects the rivalry with Sinner to grow even more intense.
“Our rivalry is getting better, which for me and for tennis I would say is great,” said Alcaraz.
“We will see in the future how many times I’m going to play against him and which circumstances we will play.
“Right now, it’s going great.”
