On a quiet evening in Manhattan last week, Carlos Alcaraz was leaving an Italian restaurant with his large support team when he unexpectedly spotted a familiar face: Jannik Sinner, who was quietly having dinner. It was the second time during the US Open that the two had ended up at the same restaurant at the same time. Both players couldn’t help but laugh as they greeted each other warmly.
Given how often they run into each other, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were getting tired of the encounters. “On court, we like seeing each other because it means we’re doing well in the tournament, given our rankings,” Sinner said. “Off court, we bump into each other sometimes. I don’t know if we’re happy about it or not.”
There’s at least one more meeting ahead in New York. Their first US Open final together is also a historic moment—the first time in the Open era that two men have met in three Grand Slam finals in a single season, and in consecutive majors. This will be their fifth final in a row, with their most recent match taking place last month in Cincinnati, where Sinner retired while trailing 5-0 due to illness.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. If Alcaraz wins, he will take the world No. 1 ranking from Sinner.
Not only are they far ahead of the rest of the field, but the gap is growing. Although the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry has been building for some time—they split the four major titles in 2024—they hadn’t faced each other in a Grand Slam final until June.
After their final at the Italian Open, which marked Sinner’s return from a three-month doping ban, a rematch at the French Open seemed likely. At Wimbledon, it was hard to imagine anyone else making the final besides these two.
By the time the US Open began, this final felt almost inevitable, barring injury. The anticipation for this matchup has overshadowed much of the tournament since the first round.
A month after Alcaraz staged one of the greatest comebacks ever at Roland Garros, proving his ability to deliver under pressure, Sinner got his revenge at Wimbledon. That victory ended Alcaraz’s five-match winning streak and gave Sinner a blueprint for success.
Sinner overwhelmed Alcaraz with aggressive, relentless hitting from both wings. He served well and kept Alcaraz’s aggressive returns at bay by adding more pace to his second serve. Alcaraz admitted he was outplayed, lacking the time he needed to disrupt Sinner’s rhythm.
That’s why, even though grass is considered Alcaraz’s preferred surface in this rivalry and Sinner has started to dominate there, Alcaraz might actually prefer facing Sinner on a medium-hard court. The surface gives him slightly more time on the ball and helps his kick serve and heavy topspin forehand—key tools he uses to vary the ball’s trajectory and throw Sinner off.
At Wimbledon, under intense pressure at the baseline, Alcaraz’s serve let him down. In New York, his improved serve has been a major reason he’s cruised through the draw without dropping a set, reaching a Grand Slam final with a perfect record for the first time. It’s clear he’ll need to serve exceptionally well against the most consistent returner in the game.Carlos Alcaraz is a highly effective returner in the game. Every match offers a chance to adapt, and it remains to be seen what he has learned from his most recent loss.
Three years after Alcaraz’s dramatic 2:50 a.m. victory over Jannik Sinner—a five-set thriller in which he saved a match point, instantly cementing their rivalry as the future of the sport—the two will complete that story in New York.
As they make their way through the tunnel and onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, it’s worth considering the broader picture. For years, many players served as punching bags for Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. It was widely assumed that the decline of the “Big Three” would usher in a transitional era, giving more players a brief window to claim major titles.
Instead, two new legends have risen. While they are rivals on the court, they have also, in a way, joined forces to leave little room for anyone else to break through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the Alcaraz vs Sinner rivalry framed around their US Open final and Grand Slam trilogy
General Beginner Questions
Q Who are Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
A They are two of the top young tennis players in the world often seen as the future of the sport after the Big Three era
Q What is the Grand Slam trilogy between them
A It refers to the three epic Grand Slam matches they played against each other in a short period the 2022 US Open quarterfinal the 2022 Wimbledon semifinal and the 2024 US Open final
Q Why do people say they are in a class of their own
A Because their matches are incredibly intense fastpaced and physically demanding showcasing a level of power and athleticism that often feels like a new higher tier of tennis
Q Who won their US Open final
A This FAQ assumes the final has just concluded The winner would be inserted here
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q What makes their rivalry so special compared to others
A Their playing styles create a perfect clash Alcaraz has incredible variety touch and power while Sinner hits the ball with immense flat power and precision Their youth and speed force both to play at their absolute limit
Q What was their first Grand Slam match and why was it famous
A Their first was the 2022 US Open quarterfinal It became an instant classic ending at 250 AMthe latest finish in US Open historywith Alcaraz winning in five grueling sets
Q How does their headtohead record look
A As of the end of the 2024 US Open their headtohead is very close and competitive The exact record would be updated here
Q What does this rivalry mean for the future of mens tennis
A It signals a definitive passing of the torch Their consistent deep runs in majors and thrilling matches suggest they will be the defining rivalry for the next decade
