ATP Finals 2025: Jannik Sinner’s victory in Turin keeps Carlos Alcaraz on his toes for 2026
Since the U.S. Open, Sinner has focused on being more aggressive on his serve (which resulted in him being broken just once in five matches in Turin) and on becoming more diverse in his game.
Both aspects were evident against Alcaraz.
When Alcaraz took the first set 6-5 on Sinner’s serve, the Italian didn’t hesitate to save the break point with a 117-mph second serve to give his opponent a backhand.
Two irreversible first serves later sent Sinner into a tiebreak, where he took control of the match.
In the second set, with Alcaraz in need of a taping due to a hamstring injury, Sinner began to use more lobs, notably saving a break point in the seventh game.
Breaking Alcaraz again in the final game meant Sinner lifted the trophy without dropping a set.
“You’re definitely a player I respect,” Sinner, who extended his indoor unbeaten streak to 31 games, told Alcaraz in his acceptance speech.
“[You give me] Great motivation – I need this – a big, big goal in every practice.
“I hope to see you again next year and hopefully we have great, great battles ahead of us.”
The tape hadn’t even landed on the Turin pitch yet.
However, the platitudes the two exchanged – and their relationship seemed genuine – suggested they were already looking forward to feuding again in the 2026 season.
Many tennis fans are also salivating at the prospect of seeing Sinner and Alcaraz go head-to-head again, lamenting that it won’t happen again for at least the next few months.
Sinner hopes to defend his Melbourne title, while Alcaraz hopes to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. It would be their dream to meet in the Australian Open final.
On the evidence of this season and this latest encounter, few would argue against it.
