“I just took a week for myself, doing nothing at all”: How Alcaraz bounced back after Wimbledon defeat

Carlos Alcaraz clinched his second US Open title with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Jannik Sinner in a pulsating final that showcased the remarkable rivalry between the two young stars. The win not only secured the Spaniard his sixth Grand Slam but also allowed him to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking, a milestone he had targeted since the start of the season.

Their rivalry has been a rollercoaster over the past year, with Alcaraz saving three match points to win the 2025 French Open in five sets and Sinner taking revenge by defeating him in four sets at Wimbledon while Alcaraz was defending his title. In their last eight encounters, Alcaraz has emerged victorious seven times. Also each of the last six duels coming in finals, highlighting the high stakes whenever these two meet.

Reflecting on his US Open triumph, Alcaraz described the moment as “a dream come true. It’s my second one here, but it’s still super special.” Despite his growing trophy cabinet, the Spaniard emphasized that every Grand Slam win carries unique significance, particularly when it coincides with achieving his career-long goals.

“Doing the same day as getting another Grand Slam feels even better. This is everything I’m working for and I’m really happy to be able to live these experiences,” he said. For Alcaraz, success is measured not only by trophies but also by the consistency and style he brings to the court.

A major factor in Alcaraz’s success against Sinner has been his unpredictability and variety on the court. When asked about his versatile game, he explained, “My style, it’s about that variety that I have, you know, in a match. I feel like I can do everything on court… slices, dropshots, topspin, flat. I just trust really, really much in my physical condition. I feel like I can reach every ball, which gives me the confidence and the security of making good points and be able to play with variety.”

The Spaniard reflected on his approach following his Wimbledon defeat to Sinner. “Right after the Wimbledon match, I thought about what I needed to improve to beat him,” Alcaraz explained. “Obviously, right after that, I didn’t practise. I just took a week for myself, doing nothing at all, to reset mentally and physically before getting back on court.”

Alcaraz credits a significant portion of his success to his ability to analyze opponents while maintaining focus under pressure. He explained, “I wouldn’t say he’s predictable, but I know him… I watch a lot of his matches to see how he plays and how he feels during tournaments. I know what he’s going to do or his main weapons on his game. So I just try to be focused on that.” This careful study, paired with his physical prowess, allows him to anticipate and counter his opponents effectively, a skill that has become crucial in tight Grand Slam finals.

Alcaraz also emphasized the role of his team, particularly coach Juan Carlos, in helping him execute near-perfect performances. “It’s great when you make your coach feel that way. Not too many times he would say I played perfectly… I played perfectly. If I want to win the US Open, if I want to beat Jannik, I have to play perfect. And I think he was right,” Alcaraz said, highlighting the shared sense of accomplishment between player and coach.

While Alcaraz savors the victory, his eyes are already set on the future. “It’s my first goal… the Australian Open is there. It is always the main goal for me to complete the career Grand Slam,” he said. With Sinner and other top players still in pursuit of major milestones, Alcaraz’s determination to complete his Grand Slam collection underscores his long-term vision and relentless drive.

Despite the tight tournament schedule, Alcaraz emphasizes the importance of enjoying victories in the moment. “One of the challenges of tennis is that you win a tournament and right after that you have to be focused on the next one. But I think it’s really important to take moments of every tournament, of every experience, and enjoy… with my team, with my family, with the people you have around,” he explained. This mindset ensures that Alcaraz can sustain high-level performance while appreciating the milestones along the way.