Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed his place at the top of men’s tennis after defeating Jannik Sinner in four sets to win the US Open title once again, renewing a rivalry that is fast becoming one of the sport’s most enthralling.
The 22-year-old Spaniard produced a commanding display, brushing aside a second-set resurgence from Sinner to secure a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 triumph inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The final was delayed by around 30 minutes due to heightened security protocols following the arrival of US President Donald Trump at Flushing Meadows, but the tension only seemed to fuel Alcaraz once play got underway.
Unlike their epic showdowns at Roland Garros and Wimbledon earlier this year, the match fell short of five-set drama, though it still offered plenty of high-quality exchanges.
Crucially, Alcaraz’s serve, so vulnerable in their Wimbledon encounter, proved rock solid, paving the way for him to regain the crown he first captured in 2022.
The victory also marked his sixth Grand Slam trophy, making him the second-youngest player after Bjorn Borg to achieve the feat.
It leaves him level with Sinner in 2025’s major count, with the Italian having already claimed the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles.
“Sometimes I think I see you more than I see my family,” Alcaraz joked to Sinner after lifting the trophy. “It’s always special sharing the court with you.”
Sinner, who had led the world rankings for 65 weeks, surrendered the No. 1 spot as Alcaraz overtook him once again.
The Italian battled gamely, saving two championship points, but could not stop Alcaraz from sealing victory with a thunderous 131mph ace—an emphatic reflection of his serving dominance throughout the fortnight.
The Spaniard’s trademark grin and celebratory golf swing lit up the arena, underlining his joy at returning to the summit of the sport.
While the clash between Alcaraz and Sinner continues to capture global attention, this year’s US Open final carried an unusual subplot with Trump’s first visit to the tournament in a decade.
Fans were forced to endure long queues due to airport-style security checks, but the players remained unfazed, keeping themselves occupied during the wait, Alcaraz with stretches and core exercises, Sinner juggling a mini-football with his team.
When play eventually began, Alcaraz struck first, pouncing on Sinner’s serve with explosive returns to seize the opening set.
Though Sinner roared back in the second, producing his trademark heavy groundstrokes to level the match, Alcaraz quickly reasserted control.
A dazzling third set showcased his blend of speed, finesse, and power, and an error-strewn fourth from Sinner sealed the outcome.
“I gave everything I had, but it wasn’t enough today,” Sinner admitted afterward.
For Alcaraz, however, it was another landmark night in a career already rewriting tennis history.