"I’m not number one anymore": Jannik Sinner embraces new challenge after Alcaraz defeat

Jannik Sinner’s extraordinary 2025 season ended in bittersweet fashion on Sunday night in New York. The Italian fell short in the US Open final against long-time rival Carlos Alcaraz, conceding that the Spaniard was simply the stronger player on the day.

This was the third consecutive Grand Slam final they faced each other in, with Alcaraz taking the title at the French Open and then Sinner getting revenge at Wimbledon—where Carlos was the defending champion. This time at Flushing Meadows—with Sinner as the defending champion—Alcaraz once again returned to victory and lifted his sixth major title.

For Sinner, who has now reached all four Grand Slam finals this year, the loss came with perspective, pride, and an eye on the future. “He has improved,” Sinner admitted when asked how Alcaraz differed from their previous clashes. “I felt like he was a bit cleaner today. The things that I did well in London, he did better today… especially serving. Both sides, both swings, very clean. I give him a lot of credit because he handled the situation better than I did. He raised his level when he had to.” Despite the defeat, Sinner made clear that his achievements this year, including winning two majors, remain a source of satisfaction.

The rivalry between the two men has quickly become the defining duel of men’s tennis. While Sinner often overpowered Alcaraz earlier in their encounters, the Spaniard turned the tables in New York. “I was very predictable today on court,” Sinner reflected. “He changed up the game—that’s also his style. Now it’s on me if I want to make changes or not. I’ll aim to make some adjustments, maybe even lose some matches, but try to be more unpredictable.”

Sinner’s willingness to embrace discomfort was telling. For a player renowned for relentless baseline consistency, the loss highlighted the need to add new dimensions to his arsenal. “Sometimes you need to go out of the comfort zone. That’s what I have to do to become a better tennis player. At the end of the day, that’s my main goal now,” he explained. And with a season that already includes four major finals, Sinner is hardly short of belief. “Overall, the season result-wise is amazing—four Grand Slam finals, two wins, two finals lost. Incredible results, so I’m very happy. Now we try to finish the year as strong as possible.”

Sinner was quick to highlight just how unique Alcaraz is among his peers. “He’s just a different player. He doesn’t really have weaknesses, while maybe some players do. With Carlos, it’s different—we have head-to-head history now, battles on different surfaces, and that makes it interesting,” he said. It is a rivalry that has already delivered unforgettable moments, and with both men in their early twenties, the battles are only just beginning.

Despite a long delay before the match started, Sinner dismissed the notion that it affected him. “They told us well in advance it might start at 2:30. So we weren’t warming up twice—it was all fine,” he said, refusing to use the disrupted schedule as an excuse. Nor did he pay much attention to the unusual sight of empty seats at the start of a Grand Slam final. “I didn’t realise it that much. It still felt very loud. I saw some empty seats, but I had no doubts it would be full and packed. The atmosphere was amazing.”

Asked how he would adapt his training for Alcaraz specifically, Sinner was clear. “I don’t think it’s going to be specific for Carlos—it’s for me, to get better. One secret is patience. It’s not like suddenly in Beijing I’ll be a lefty,” he joked. Still, he knows improvements must come. “My serve wasn’t on point—I struggled today, and already during the tournament. Maybe I can change something small, maybe something big. We’ll see.”

The Italian also underlined that dominance on the way to finals isn’t always ideal preparation. “The match against Felix was good for me because it tested me emotionally. But it’s not only about being tested—it’s about what game style you use to get to that point. I’m a very solid baseliner, a strong hitter, a good player. But sometimes you need to add something. Small changes can make big differences.”

Sinner ended his press conference with optimism rather than regret. “I’m looking forward to playing these matches again. Something new is now—I’m not number one anymore, so it changes a little bit. You chase again. It’s different. And then we’ll see.”

With Alcaraz and Sinner splitting the season’s Grand Slam spotlight, men’s tennis has found its next great narrative. For Sinner, the challenge is as clear as it is daunting: evolve, adapt, and come back stronger. And judging by his words in New York, he is more than ready to accept that mission.