What a week for tennis fans in New York! The 2025 US Open wrapped up with fireworks, drama, and a pair of finals that could shape the sport for years to come. While the city buzzed with excitement, the action inside Arthur Ashe Stadium delivered everything from record-breaking feats to emotional reckonings on the grandest stage.
Let’s start with the men’s side, where Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish phenom, continued his meteoric rise to the top of the tennis world. On September 7, 2025, Alcaraz faced off against his now-familiar rival, Jannik Sinner, in a showdown that had fans glued to their seats. The two have been trading blows all season, but this time, it was Alcaraz who seized the moment, dispatching Sinner in four riveting sets: 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
The match wasn’t just another tick in the win column. With this victory, Alcaraz captured his sixth Grand Slam title—tying with none other than Rafa Nadal for the second most majors won before turning 23 in the Open Era. Only Bjorn Borg managed more at this age. That’s rarefied air for the young Spaniard, who now sits atop the ATP rankings as World No. 1, having dethroned Sinner in the process.
And if the tennis wasn’t enough, the atmosphere had its own twists. The start of the final was delayed by 37 minutes due to heightened security, thanks to the presence of US President Donald Trump in the crowd. Trump’s appearance drew boos when he flashed up on the big screen, but he kept a low profile during the trophy ceremony, steering clear of any on-court antics.
Once play began, Alcaraz wasted no time imposing his will. He dominated the first set with a serving masterclass—those 130mph+ bombs had Sinner scrambling. Even as Sinner clawed back the second set, Alcaraz’s relentless attack and deft touch at the net proved too much. Sinner, 24, saved two match points in the final game but ultimately succumbed to an ace—a fitting exclamation point from the new champion.
After the match, Alcaraz was quick to share the love. Everyone who has made this possible in this tournament is super special for me. We all feel at home. Its an incredible tournament, the three weeks Ive spent here, is a privilege. Thanks to all the fans for the energy youre putting into every match and training. I feel at home, I feel the energy and love, he told the crowd. Turning to his opponent, he added, Jannik, its unbelievable what youre doing during the whole season, a great level in every tournament you play. Im seeing you more than my family! Its great to share the court and share everything with you.
Sinner, ever the sportsman, responded in kind: Id like to say to Carlos and his whole team, you are doing amazing, its a lot of hard work behind this performance. You were better than me. Enjoy it. Its a great moment. I have had an incredible season, played on a lot of stages and matches. I tried my best, I couldnt do more.
The numbers behind this rivalry are staggering. Alcaraz and Sinner have now contested the last three Grand Slam finals of the year, with Alcaraz leading their head-to-head in finals 5-2, and overall 10-5. In fact, the duo have combined to win the last eight majors—something never seen before in mens tennis. With Alcaraz now holding two US Open, two French Open, and two Wimbledon titles, only the Australian Open remains for him to complete the career Grand Slam. That chase resumes in Melbourne next year.
For his efforts in New York, Alcaraz pocketed a record $5 million in prize money. But he’s not letting the success go to his head. Yeah, bad thing about tennis, he mused to reporters. I mean, its not too many bad things in tennis, but one of those is you win a tournament, and right after that, you have to be focused on the next one. So sometimes you just have one day just to enjoy, or not even that, and going after that to another tournament, another place. So sometimes its really difficult to realize that I won the tournament to enjoy.
He’s chosen to skip Spain’s upcoming Davis Cup qualifier against Denmark, replaced by Jaume Munar, to soak in the victory and reflect. Alcaraz is expected to play the Laver Cup next, representing Team Europe alongside stars like Holger Rune and Casper Ruud. But all eyes will be on the Australian Open, where history could beckon.
Meanwhile, the women’s final offered its own tale of heartbreak and hope. American Amanda Anisimova, just 23, captured the imagination of the New York crowd with her fearless play en route to the final. But on the big day, she ran into the buzzsaw that is World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, falling 6-3, 7-6 in a match defined by fine margins and nerves.
Anisimova was candid in defeat, facing the press with honesty and poise. Yeah, it was an amazing atmosphere, of course, and I tried to enjoy the atmosphere as much as I could, she said. Especially in the second set, when I started to come back, they were really backing me. I think that was really helpful to try and stay in the match.
She admitted that nerves played a role. I just felt like throughout the match I wasnt playing my best tennis. With finals I get a lot of nerves, and its something Im trying to work on. I wish I had played more aggressive, Anisimova explained. She also battled an unexpected adversary: the stadium roof. With it closed, glare made serving nearly impossible for her. It was literally like white, and I couldnt see the ball when I was serving the whole match. That was a huge shock to my system, and it made my serving today very, very difficult.
Despite holding a set point in the second set, Anisimova couldn’t convert, and Sabalenka closed it out in a tense tiebreak. Still, Anisimova showed no bitterness. She was playing amazing, very aggressive, and doing all the right things. She made it very difficult for me today, she acknowledged. I didnt win today, so of course I didnt do enough. Thats just the reality, and I have to accept it.
Looking ahead, Anisimova is now in the running for a spot at the season-ending WTA Finals—a testament to her resurgence. At the start of the year, me and my agent joked that qualifying for the Finals would be a goal, but it felt far off then. Now I have a chance to qualify and play in it, and thats really special, she said. The fire is still there: Making it to the final is obviously really special, but it would have been a dream come true to win. Of course, Im motivated, and I hope I can keep working really hard to give myself more opportunities to be in more and more finals.
As the lights dim on this year’s US Open, one thing’s for sure: tennis fans have plenty to look forward to. With rivalries heating up, new stars emerging, and history on the line, the road ahead looks as thrilling as ever.
