Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner to win the 2025 US Open: Live updates, reaction

Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed the world number one ranking with a brilliant four-set victory over Jannik Sinner in the final of the 2025 U.S. Open.

Alcaraz started strongly in New York and weathered Sinner’s second-set fightback to triumph 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

It is the second time Alcaraz has won at Flushing Meadows and the sixth Grand Slam title of his young career.

The final was delayed because of extra security measures put in place owing to President Donald Trump’s attendance.

Email your thoughts on the final to live@theathletic.com.

Arthur Ashe Stadium is empty, except for stadium workers. The lights are shining with the video board showing Carlos Alcaraz champion of men's singles.

It was a tournament that had two worthy champions. Aryna Sabalenka, who lost two slam finals in Australia and Roland Garros, capped off the year with her fourth slam title. And Alcaraz, solidifying himself as the number one player in the world, beating his top rival Jannik Sinner to capture his sixth slam.

On a personal note, I wanted to thank everyone who read and interacted with our coverage. I appreciated all of the reader thoughts, questions and submissions. It was an absolute privilege to cover this event on the ground with our tennis writers Matthew Futterman and Charlie Eccleshare.

On behalf of the live team, we hope you enjoyed the wall-to-wall content from first ball to championship point. Until next year, U.S. Open. 127 days until the Australian Open in January.

Carlos Alcaraz said that he spent two weeks working with his coaches on what to improve on following the Wimbledon final. He also studied the Wimbledon final with his coaches.

💬: “We watch it. We put everything, or we note everything, and we work on it. We just played that game. It doesn't matter. At the beginning, we thought, okay, it doesn't matter if you lose or he wins or I win. I just wanted to do the right things. If I'm doing the right things and he plays unbelievable match and he beat you, it's okay, but at least you did the right things.

“I think today worked really well. I did everything they told me that I had to do, and it worked. It worked pretty well.”

Carlos Alcaraz spoke about how the variety of his game allowed him to beat Jannik Sinner in four sets to capture his sixth slam title.

💬 “I think every player has their styles. My style, yeah, it's about the variety that I have in a match. I feel I can do everything on court, to be honest: slices, drop shots, topspin, flat.

“I just trust really much in my physical conditions. I feel like I can reach every ball, which give me the confident and the security of making good points and be able to play with variety. So I just, since when I was really, really young, I just got that feeling of doing everything. Just come to the net, playing from the baseline, drop shot, come to the net, slices.”

Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz' coach, spoke about the Spainard's performance today against rival Jannik Sinner in the U.S. Open final.

💬 “I think we prepared the match very good, watching some matches and see the specific details we have to play. Carlos did 100%. It's easy to say and very difficult to do it.

“The performance today was perfect. I think he compromise himself to go for the match all the time, tried to put pressure on the rival sooner than Jannik. I think it's one of the keys. I think these guys hit the ball, both of them, very, very fast, and I think who hits first take the advantage on points.”

Jannik Sinner highlighted where the rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz can go. He vows to change elements of his game to match Alcaraz.

💬 “I was very predictable today on court. He did many things, he changed up the game. That’s also his style. Now it’s going to be on me if I want to make changes or not. We’re definitely going to work on that to be prepared for the next match.

“I’m going to try to be more unpredictable as a player.”

Carlos Alcaraz prevailed over Jannik Sinner in a fast-paced, tactically intriguing match, ultimately decided by the Spaniard’s superiority on the serve and forehand, and his ability to change tempo in rallies and disrupt his rival’s rhythm.

It is Alcaraz’s sixth Grand Slam title and his second at the U.S. Open, following his win in 2022. The result takes him back to No. 1 in the world, ending Sinner’s 65-week stay at the top of the tennis world rankings.

The Athletic’s writers, Charlie Eccleshare and Matt Futterman, analyze the final and what it means for tennis.

A reminder — Carlos Alcaraz’s U.S. Open started with a buzzcut after his brother took a chunk out of his hair when doing a DIY trim.

And it has ended with a whole lot of photos of said hair cut as well as a pretty bit of silverware in his hands.

Maybe the new look is a good luck charm given his dominance over the past two weeks...

There was more than one nice moment between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after the final.

They shared an embrace at the net immediately after Alcaraz’s triumph. And they also posed for photos together with the finalist and winner’s trophies.

Before Sinner departed they shared one final handshake and hug.

There is clearly so much respect between these great champions, who share what has become the rivalry of this generation.

Perhaps not at his best for a lot of today but what a year for Jannik Sinner.

He has played some magnificent tennis and just did not have the answers for an evolved Carlos Alcaraz today — as he acknowledged himself.

These two are great competitors and will no doubt be up against each other in a final again soon.

Anon: “Does Alcaraz have to have a bad day for Sinner to win? It seems like Alcaraz’s top level is higher than Sinner’s (and his lowest level lower)…”

Ragnar P: “Alcaraz was a beast. What a performance, throughout the fortnight.

“But it was a bizarre reaction from Sinner at the end. Someone watching here with us said “he looks like he woke up this morning knowing he wouldn’t win.” He did, right?!”

Anon: “Sinner was human today. And a human can’t win a match against these guys…”

Email your thoughts on Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph to live@theathletic.com.

The 2025 U.S. Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz, is next up.

💬 “Wow. I want to start with Jannik. It is unbelievable what you have done this season. You show a great level at every tournament. I see you more than my family and it’s great to share the court and the locker room with you. You improve every day working with your team, so congratulations to you and it was a great performance this whole tournament.

“To my team and family: I’m lucky to have you. You give so much hard work to make me better. I’m really proud of the people I have around me. Thank you so much. This achievement is thanks to you. I love you all.

“Thanks to everyone who makes this tournament possible. It’s a special tournament for me. You do everything to make us feel at home. It’s an incredible three weeks and a privilege to be a part of it. It’s great to be back and it’s also thanks to you guys (the fans). I always feel the energy and the love and I want to play my best for you guys. You made everything easy so thank you very much.”

Jannik Sinner is the first to be interviewed after today’s final.

💬 “Hello everyone. First of all I would like to start with Carlos and his team. They are doing amazing and I know there was a lot of hard work behind this performance. He was better than me so congrats.

“To my team, thank you for supporting me and understanding me. And for working hard. It has been an incredible season with a lot of big stages and matches. I’m super happy to share this moment with you and my family and all the people I love.

“I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more.

“I’d also like to thank everybody who makes this place special. I can’t wait to come back next year.

“And the last thing: you guys (the fans). You have been amazing. You make this place so special and I’m very happy to stand here on the court. We try to make this place the best show possible.”

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