'You were better than me': Jannik Sinner bows to Carlos Alcaraz after US Open heartbreak

Jannik Sinner lamented his defeat in the US Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, a match that ended 2-6, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The Italian star, who entered the tournament as world No.1, couldn’t find his best tennis against his Spanish rival and was forced to settle for the runner-up trophy. Despite the setback, Sinner showed immense sportsmanship and humility in his post-match speech, offering words of respect to Alcaraz and gratitude to his own team.

“Hello everyone. First of all I’d like to start with Carlos and his whole team. You’re doing amazing. Congrats. I know it’s a lot of hard work behind this performance today. You were better than me. Congrats. Enjoy it. It’s a great moment,” Sinner said, addressing the crowd and his opponent with a calm but emotional tone. His remarks highlighted the growing rivalry with Alcaraz — one that has quickly become the centrepiece of modern men’s tennis.

But beyond praise for the champion, Sinner took a moment to reflect on his own journey. “My team, thank you for supporting me and understanding me. For working hard. We all know how much dedication we put in to be here on this stage. It’s been an incredible season. A lot of big stages and matches we’ve played throughout the season. I’m super happy to share this moment with you, my family who’s at home, all the people I love, my friends. I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more, so thank you for the support.”

His words, while tinged with disappointment, carried the weight of a player who understands the grind of the sport. By highlighting “dedication” and the role of his closest supporters, Sinner reminded fans that success in tennis is not only about individual brilliance but also about collective effort, resilience, and sacrifice.

Alcaraz reclaims World No.1 after Sinner’s 64-week reign

With his victory in New York, Carlos Alcaraz not only lifted his third US Open title but also reclaimed the world No.1 ranking, ending Sinner’s 64-week reign at the top. It marks a symbolic shift in momentum at the heart of men’s tennis, as the two continue to trade blows for supremacy.

The rivalry has intensified throughout 2025. Alcaraz triumphed earlier in the year at Roland Garros, defeating Sinner in the semifinals before clinching the trophy in Paris. Sinner, however, responded with one of the biggest wins of his career by capturing Wimbledon, defeating Alcaraz in a pulsating final that solidified his status as the game’s leading force at the time.

Now, with the US Open crown back in his hands, Alcaraz has evened the score for the season — and put himself back in control of the rankings. The Spaniard currently leads the head-to-head 10–5 following his latest triumph, a statistic that underscores both his consistency and his ability to deliver on the sport’s biggest stages.

What's next for the rivalry?

For now, Alcaraz holds the world No. 1 spot, reaching 11,540 points in the ATP ranking, surpassing Sinner's 10,780 points. His next challenge will be in the Asian swing, where Alcaraz will face the ATP 500 Tokyo Open starting on September 22, while Sinner will play in Beijing in the same category. They will meet again at the Shanghai Masters, which is played during the first week of October, a tournament where they faced each other in last year's final.

Without a doubt, things are complicated for Sinner if he hopes to reclaim the world No. 1 spot, as Alcaraz holds a difference of more than 2,500 points in the Race. The Spaniard's victory at the US Open practically secures Alcaraz as the ranking leader for the rest of the season.