A year that belonged to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz had to end like this.
Another thrilling competition between the two most prominent men on the men’s tour – this time with the season-ending ATP Finals trophy on the line – was a fitting conclusion.
Advertisement
For the victorious Sinner, victory perhaps mattered a little more. The way the mild-mannered Italian collapsed on his back in celebration after the championship point seemed to indicate that was the case.
“I’m very happy. It was a difficult match, but it means a lot to me to end the season like this,” said Sinner, 24.
Not only did the four-time major champion defend the prestigious trophy in front of a passionate crowd in Turin, capping a tumultuous season in which he won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, but he also spent three months on the sidelines after being banned for failing two doping tests.
The straight-set success also allowed Sinner to keep Alcaraz on a leash.
Advertisement
While the rivals shared equally in all four Grand Slam trophies this season, there was a sense that Alcaraz had begun to take a slight advantage in a rivalry that has lit up the sport.
The 22-year-old Spaniard had already clinched the year-end world rankings ahead of Sunday’s final, while a dominant performance in the showpiece US Open match gave him a 10-5 lead over Sinner in their head-to-head record.
After losing in New York, Sinner made a telling remark admitting he had to leave his “comfort zone” in order to truly test Alcaraz.
And, just as he did in beating Alcaraz for the Wimbledon title just 35 days after losing in their epic French Open final, Sinner showed his remarkable ability to mentally bounce back from tough losses.
Advertisement
Even his opponent can see it.
“After every loss – you don’t have many – you come back stronger,” Alcaraz said in his finalist speech on the court.
“You had a great year and I hope you rest up and are ready for next year – because I will be ready.”
As he spoke, Alcaraz flashed the infectious smile that helped endear him to crowds around the world.
Make no mistake, there was a lot of intention behind those words.
You can bet that Alcaraz and his team – led by former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero – will be forensically analyzing what they can improve when they take to the training grounds.
Advertisement
And this is one of the determining factors of this compelling rivalry: both players push each other to greater heights.
When one loses, it leads to deep introspection and focusing on what can be improved – especially when they next meet.
“That’s what we’re so excited about,” said former British number one Laura Robson, who was analyzing the match for Sky Sports.
“They bring out the best in everyone, they know they have to push themselves and constantly improve to excel.”
Former world number four Tim Henman said the level of Sinner and Alcaraz was “scary” for their rivals.
Advertisement
“They’re pushing themselves higher and higher, better and better, getting better and better, and the gap is big,” he added.
How Sinner sought to improve
Since the US Open, Sinner has strived to be more aggressive with his serve – resulting in him being broken just once in his five matches in Turin – and to play with more variety.
Both sides were evident against Alcaraz.
When Alcaraz had the chance to win the first set at 6-5 on Sinner’s serve, the Italian nervelessly sent a second serve at 187 mph to his opponent’s backhand to save the break point.
A pair of unrecoverable first serves followed and allowed Sinner to force a tiebreak which he then controlled.
Advertisement
In the second set, with Alcaraz hampered by a hamstring injury that required strapping, Sinner began using more drop shots and it was this one that saved a break point in the seventh game.
Breaking Alcaraz again in what turned out to be the final match, Sinner won the trophy without dropping a set.
“You are definitely a player I admire,” Sinner, who extended his unbeaten indoor record to 31 matches, told Alcaraz in his winning speech.
“(You give me) a lot of motivation – I need it – every training session with a big, big goal.
“I hope to see you again next year with, I hope, some very good battles awaiting us.”
Advertisement
The ticker wasn’t even set yet on the pitch in Turin.
Still, the platitudes exchanged by the two men – who appear to have genuine warmth in a relationship – indicate that they are already looking forward to fighting again during the 2026 season.
Many tennis fans are also licking their lips at the thought of seeing Sinner and Alcaraz face off again – and lamenting that it won’t happen again for at least a few months.
A date in the Australian Open final, with Sinner looking to defend his Melbourne crown and Alcaraz aiming to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, would be their dream.
Advertisement
Considering this season and this last meeting, few people would bet against it.
