Tennis - US Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz returns to the top with dominant performance against Jannik Sinner

A beaming smile burst on to the face of Carlos Alcaraz, who is on top of the world and top of the tennis rankings.

The Spanish tennis star shone brightest in the 2025 US Open men’s singles final, where he beat world No.1 Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday (7 September).

With the sixth Grand Slam tennis trophy of his career, Alcaraz becomes the new world No.1 in the ATP rankings, back at the summit for the first time since August 2023.

"Every achievement I have is thanks to you - this one is also yours,” said Alcaraz to his family in his winner’s speech on court. “I'm lucky to have my brother, my uncle and father - my little brother and mother are watching at home. Thank you so much, I love you. This is super special for me. The three weeks I spent here are a privilege. I feel at home and feel the energy and love here."

The 22-year-old nets a cool $5million with victory at Flushing Meadows. Alcaraz and Sinner end the 2025 Grand Slam campaign with two majors each, having swept every Slam trophy for the past two years to enforce their dominance on the men’s game.

The Spaniard celebrated with his favoured golf swing, in tribute to friend and fellow Olympian Sergio García, striking gold with his second US Open title after the 2022 triumph.

US Open 2025 men's singles final: Carlos Alcaraz wins sixth Grand Slam and dethrones Jannik Sinner - as it happened

2025 US Open final – Commanding Carlos Alcaraz is the king of New York City

Alcaraz’s first Grand Slam title came at Flushing Meadows three years ago, then a 19-year-old teenager who stunned the world on the grandest stage. It was the run that sparked his stellar career and birthed his enthralling rivalry with Sinner, both of which come full circle with the echoed accolade in New York City.

With the start time delayed by half an hour to accommodate extra security measures at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sinner and Alcaraz went straight to business where an eight-minute opening game produced an Alcaraz break.

The Spaniard was controlling the tempo, breaking again to go 5-2 up and holding for the opening set with just three points (16 per cent) lost on his serve. That would prove defining in this final, just as it did in the world No.1’s favour for his Wimbledon win.

Alcaraz won 84.5 per cent of service points in the opening set, yet when Sinner created a first break point of the evening, he did not hesitate and broke to love at 3-1. A drastic improvement in the top seed’s serve shifted the momentum, proving clinical at the net to be the first man all tournament to take a set off Alcaraz.

There was no stopping the Murcia man in the third set, sealing a double break for a five-game streak over his helpless opponent. An outstanding 91 per cent of first-serve points won led him to a sub-half-hour set, closing in on the title.

An even fourth set was what the top seed needed to settle, even though the statistics and scoreboard were not in his favour. Serving struggles at 2-2 started to chip away at the Italian’s confidence and Alcaraz capitalised to break for the fifth time.

There was no quelling the Olympic silver medallist from hereon, who barely faulted on his serve where he took 83 per cent of first-serve points. Alcaraz sealed the deal with his 10th ace of the day, a worthy finale to his dazzling display to be crowned the king of New York City once again.

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