Carlos Alcaraz Not Ready to Call Jannik Sinner ‘Predictable’ After US Open Win
World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz will want to continue his winning ways at the China Open next.
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Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)
Carlos Alcaraz has done it once again. He became the youngest man to become a World No.1 player after winning his career’s first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open by defeating Casper Ruud, and two years later, he has reclaimed the rank by defeating Jannik Sinner in the 2025 final at Flushing Meadows.
It took Alcaraz nearly three hours to secure a four-set win over the four-time Grand Slam champion, who was aiming to become the first man since Roger Federer (2008) to win back-to-back New York Major titles. After the defeat, Sinner said the reason he couldn’t give much competition to the World No.1 was that his game had become too predictable. Alcaraz doesn’t think so. He said during his interview with El Pais:
I wouldn’t say that. Like him, I watch and study a lot of his games. I love the way he plays, and what he does is incredible. I don’t think he’s predictable, but we just know each other better and better, because we’ve already faced each other a few times. I know his abilities, and I try to adapt to be able to face him.
They have so far faced each other 15 times, with Alcaraz coming out on top 10 times. Since last year, they have met eight times, with Sinner emerging victorious only once in this year’s Wimbledon, also losing four times in their five meetings this season.
Carlos Alcaraz on his biggest improvement
At the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz reached a Grand Slam final without dropping a set for the first time in his career. Against Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz smashed 42 winners while his unforced errors tally was just 24, as well as zero double faults. Alcaraz thinks he has become more mature, and this is helping him handle certain situations much better.
I’m trying to manage all of this in the best way possible, because it’s not easy, but when things go well off the track, it’s not unusual for them to go well on it. One thing goes hand in hand with the other. That’s what we’ve improved the most. Off the track, I’ve improved a lot and realized how important it is to take care of every detail to be perfect. I think that’s been my biggest improvement.
Carlos Alcaraz told El Pais
Alcaraz has matched Rafael Nadal‘s record of winning six Majors before turning 23, also becoming the second youngest man to reach the tally in the Open Era after Bjorn Borg. The six-time Grand Slam champion has also clinched multiple Majors on all surfaces before turning 23, also the first man to do so.
More records Carlos Alcaraz broke at the US Open
The Murcia native has also become the second man to defeat a World No.1 multiple times in Grand Slam finals in a calendar year after Nadal, who defeated Roger Federer at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2008. He is also the youngest man in the Open Era to clinch Majors after beating multiple reigning Grand Slam champions in finals.
Alcaraz impressed the most with his serves, hitting 10 aces against Sinner, winning 98 of his 101 service games. The Spaniard is only the second man in the Open Era to win a Major after dropping three or fewer games, after Pete Sampras (Wimbledon 1994 and 1997).
Next, Alcaraz is expected to play the Laver Cup. He has decided to skip the Davis Cup. His next singles tournament is the China Open, which he won last year for the first time after defeating Sinner, who has so far lifted just two titles this season (Australian Open and Wimbledon) after playing five finals.
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