Carlos Alcaraz: Tennis Nearer the Gods
A Final for the Ages
Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to win the 2025 US Open, and honestly, it was the best tennis I’ve ever watched.
It was controlled aggression at the highest level. Carlos was ripping forehands and backhands with so much pace that he rushed Sinner, which is basically impossible to do. Two months ago at Wimbledon, Alcaraz looked overwhelmed, complaining to his team that he couldn’t handle Sinner’s power from the baseline. But today he completely flipped the script. He hit with so much force and so cleanly that even Sinner’s world-class movement wasn’t enough to keep up.
On top of that, his defense was outrageous. He got balls back that no one else on tour would even touch, forcing Sinner to win points multiple times just to get them. And it wasn’t just survival, Alcaraz kept turning defense into offense again and again. One second he was on the run, the next he was two steps inside the baseline firing a forehand wherever he wanted, flipping rallies back in his favor. What tied his whole game together, and what was the difference today’s match, was his mentality. From day one of the tournament he looked locked in, focused in a way we haven’t always seen from him, and he never wavered.
Alcaraz vs. Sinner: The Rivalry Shifts
This win makes Alcaraz world No. 1. Sure, Sinner’s ban earlier this year opened the door, but after today, it feels completely earned.
For the last year and a half, I thought Sinner was the better player. His consistency and intensity gave him the edge. He won Australia and Wimbledon with relative ease, and even at Roland Garros Alcaraz only survived thanks to a Houdini-like comeback. Sinner just looked steadier, sharper, more reliable.
But these last two weeks have flipped everything. Alcaraz didn’t just match Sinner, he played at a level Sinner couldn’t touch. If he can sustain this, he won’t just compete with Sinner, he’ll dominate the rivalry and the entire sport. The next big test comes in Australia, with Sinner, the two time defending champion, trying to defend his turf and Alcaraz chasing the career Grand Slam. I can’t wait to see it.
Other Winners of the Tournament
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Finally, the breakthrough we had been waiting for. Wins over three top-15 seeds, most notably against Zverev in the third round, carried him to the semis where he pushed Sinner hard. With his quiet confidence and maturity, Felix looked like the player we’ve been waiting for. If he keeps this up, the indoor swing could be his moment.
Daniel Altmaier
What a run for my favorite niche player. Altmaier upset Medjedovic and Tsitsipas in five-set thrillers, before falling to De Minaur in round three. He gained a lot of fans along the way, and reached the top 50 for the first time in a few years. gaining fans with his gritty style. Pure entertainment.
Jiri Lehecka
After a rough season, the Czech found form with a quarterfinal run. He showed impressive mental strength in his win over Mannarino, who is always tricky to play against, and with his firepower. At just 23, his peak may still be ahead.
The Big Two: Alcaraz & Sinner
This tournament also underlined the ocean sized gap between the top two and everyone else. Medvedev embarrassed himself on night one, the Americans fell short, and Djokovic wasn’t able to keep up physically with Alcaraz for more than two sets. Right now, it’s a two-man race.
The Losers
The Americans
Fritz, Shelton, and Tiafoe all disappointed.
Tiafoe, who calls himself a US Open specialist, lost in straight sets to Struff, ranked outside the top 100. The German has a big game and was in form after beating Rune, but if Tiafoe ever wants to truly compete at the grand slam level, he’s going to have to take care of players of Struff’s caliber
Shelton was unlucky with injury, but his forehand mechanics raise concerns about long-term shoulder issues.
Fritz remains consistent, but not a Slam contender. He’s now 0-11 against Djokovic after taking a disappointing defeat in the quarters. Fritz is a fine player, he normally performs to his seeding, but he is so far away from true contention.
The Lost Generation
Ruud, Tsitsipas, and Medvedev all exited early to unseeded players. Once viewed as slam contenders, they now look over the hill. Medvedev has lost his focus, Tsitsipas his game, and Ruud his legs. Unless they improve quickly, the sport will pass them by.
Jack Draper
Talented, likable, and powerful, but his body just won’t hold up. Another Slam season gone without a breakthrough. The potential is there, but time is slowly getting away from him.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 US Open belonged to Carlos Alcaraz. His performance wasn’t just brilliant; it was transformative. For the first time, he didn’t just match Sinner, he surpassed him.
