The stage is set for another electrifying showdown at Flushing Meadows as the 2025 US Open men’s singles tournament kicks off on Sunday, August 24. All eyes are on the surging rivalry between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, two young stars who have rapidly filled the void left by the legendary "Big Three" of men’s tennis. With Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal now largely in the background, Sinner and Alcaraz have become the sport’s main attraction, captivating fans with their relentless battles and jaw-dropping athleticism.
It’s not just hype: these two have dominated the men’s game like few before them. Since 2023, Sinner and Alcaraz have claimed seven consecutive Grand Slam titles between them and nine of the last twelve. Alcaraz, currently ranked world No. 2, snatched the 2025 French Open title in June with a heart-stopping comeback over Sinner, rallying from two sets down and saving three championship points to prevail 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (10/2). Just weeks later, Sinner—now world No. 1—responded with a four-set victory over Alcaraz at Wimbledon, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, cementing this as one of the most compelling rivalries in tennis history.
Their head-to-head battles have become must-see TV, with fans and fellow players alike marveling at the level these two produce. American Marcos Giron, who has faced both, summed it up: "Sinner and Alcaraz are bringing a ridiculous level, week in and week out." The numbers back it up—Alcaraz leads their career series 9-5, and since Sinner’s return from a doping ban in May 2025, they’ve met in the finals of every event they’ve entered together, four in total.
But the Cincinnati Open final earlier this week threw a curveball. Sinner, riding an incredible 26-match winning streak on hard courts, was forced to retire after just five games due to illness, handing the title to Alcaraz. The Spaniard’s victory in Cincinnati was his sixth of the season, bringing his record to a staggering 39 wins in his last 41 matches and closing the gap to just 2,000 ATP points behind Sinner. The world No. 1 ranking is now very much in play at the US Open: if Sinner falters and Alcaraz advances further, the top spot could swap hands yet again.
Despite the setback, Sinner’s camp remains optimistic. The Italian opens his US Open campaign against Vit Kopriva, with a possible quarter-final clash looming against Britain’s Jack Draper. Assuming his health holds, few would bet against Sinner launching another deep run in New York. Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who knows both rivals well from the tour, weighed in on The Tennis podcast: "If Sinner’s healthy, I’d say he’s the favourite for the US Open." Kokkinakis, who has faced Sinner four times without taking a set and lost to Alcaraz at Indian Wells in 2023, added, "At their absolute best, I’d give Carlos the edge—he’s got more variety and firepower. Sinner’s more steady, mentally solid... Both are incredible, but Carlos probably has the higher ceiling."
The respect between Sinner and Alcaraz is mutual and deep. After his Wimbledon triumph, Sinner said, "I keep looking up to Carlos because even today I felt like he was doing a couple of things better than I did. That’s something we will work on because he’s going to come for us again." Alcaraz, for his part, has always acknowledged the unique spark of their rivalry: "Every time we play against each other, I think our level is really high. I don’t see any player playing against each other having the level that we are playing when we face each other." It’s a sentiment shared by tennis legends, with Rod Laver praising their "joy, class, and sportsmanship" and calling their rivalry "a gift to our sport."
Novak Djokovic, now 38 and a three-time US Open champion, is not ready to be written off just yet. He enters the tournament hoping to add a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, though he hasn’t reached a major final since his loss to Alcaraz at Wimbledon in 2024. "I think, regardless of the fact that I haven’t won a Grand Slam this year, or last year, I still feel like I continue to play my best tennis at Grand Slams," Djokovic insisted. "Those are the tournaments that I care about at this stage of my career the most." Djokovic’s path to the final may well intersect with Alcaraz, setting up another classic encounter.
The US Open isn’t just about the men’s singles, of course. The women’s draw is packed with intrigue, too. Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to defend her US Open crown, while Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff—fresh off her French Open triumph—are among the favorites. And then there’s the remarkable Venus Williams, making her 23rd appearance at the US Open at age 45 after earning a wildcard. New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe, Michael Venus, and Lulu Sun will also be in action, with every match streaming live on ESPN on Disney+ for Kiwi fans and on Stan Sport in Australia.
Meanwhile, the US Open’s new mixed doubles format has stirred debate. Thanasi Kokkinakis didn’t mince words, calling the event’s shortened sets (4-2) "an asterisk" and questioning its Grand Slam status. "No one really trains for it, they just pair up and play. Maybe I’m bitter because my mixed record is 0–10 (laughs)," Kokkinakis joked. He echoed frustration from doubles specialists, with Italian veteran Sara Errani labeling the format "disrespectful." Still, Kokkinakis acknowledged doubles as a valuable career path: "No one picks up a racket as a kid and says, ‘I want to be the best doubles player in the world.’ But it’s a good way to make money later in your career."
As the final Grand Slam of 2025 gets underway, the tennis world is buzzing with anticipation. Will Sinner’s fitness hold up for another hard-court run? Can Alcaraz reclaim the No. 1 ranking and add another major to his growing legacy? Or will a veteran like Djokovic or a new face crash the party? One thing’s for certain: the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry has already delivered unforgettable moments, and with both men at the peak of their powers, the next chapter at Flushing Meadows promises fireworks.
The action is just beginning in New York, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. Tennis fans everywhere are bracing for another classic as the sport’s new era takes center stage.
