For the eighth consecutive Grand Slam, the tennis world has its eyes fixed on a familiar and electrifying rivalry: Carlos Alcaraz versus Jannik Sinner. The 2025 men’s U.S. Open final, set for Sunday, September 7 at 2 p.m. ET, promises another chapter in what many are calling the defining duel of this tennis generation. The stakes? Nothing less than the coveted world No. 1 ranking, a $5 million winner’s purse, and the pride of lifting the last major trophy of the year at the legendary Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York.
It’s a matchup that’s become almost routine—if anything about these two can be called routine. For the third time in 2025, Alcaraz and Sinner will meet in a Grand Slam final, their rivalry now so storied that fans and pundits have even coined a nickname: “Sincaraz.” And with both men in their early twenties, the sense is that we’re witnessing not just the present, but the very future of men’s tennis unfold before our eyes.
Their journeys to this moment have been nothing short of spectacular. Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish prodigy, blazed through the draw with straight-sets victories over Reilly Opelka, Mattia Bellucci, Luciano Darderi, Arthur Rinderknech, and Jiri Lehecka, before dispatching Novak Djokovic in the semifinals 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. Jannik Sinner, the cool-headed Italian and defending U.S. Open champion, dropped just one set en route to the final, overcoming Vit Kopriva, Alexei Popyrin, Denis Shapovalov, Alexander Bublik, Lorenzo Musetti, and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The head-to-head numbers only fuel the anticipation. Since their first clash in 2021, Alcaraz has edged Sinner nine times in thirteen matches. In 2025 alone, they’ve already collided five times, with Sinner claiming a notable victory at Wimbledon—his first over Alcaraz that season—while Alcaraz took the upper hand in a five-set marathon at the French Open, a match that lasted an epic five hours and 29 minutes. Their last encounter, at the Cincinnati Open final in August, ended abruptly when Sinner retired due to health concerns just 23 minutes in. Alcaraz, ever the sportsman, remarked, “This is not the way that I want to win trophies.”
Adding to the spectacle, this will be only their second meeting at the U.S. Open. Their first, a 2022 quarterfinal, became instant classic status: a five-hour, 15-minute battle that finished just before 3 a.m. in New York, with Alcaraz ultimately prevailing. That match, many say, was the true birth of their rivalry—a rivalry that’s only grown in magnitude and intensity.
Both men arrive in New York with glittering résumés. Alcaraz, now with five Grand Slam titles to his name—one U.S. Open (2022), two Wimbledon (2023, 2024), and two French Opens (2024, 2025)—is looking to reclaim the trophy he first lifted as a teenager. Sinner, meanwhile, boasts four Grand Slam victories: the 2024 U.S. Open, two Australian Opens (2024, 2025), and Wimbledon (2025). Their career statistics are equally impressive: Alcaraz stands at a 60-6 win-loss record for 2025 (269-62 overall), while Sinner is 37-4 this season (300-84 overall). Alcaraz has 22 career titles and $48.5 million in prize money; Sinner, 20 titles and $46.3 million.
For Sinner, Sunday’s match is laden with personal significance. “On court, we like to see each other, you know, because it means that, considering our ranking, it means that we are doing well in the tournament,” Sinner reflected. “Sunday is a very special day and an amazing final again. I feel like our rivalry started here, playing an amazing match. We are two different players now with different confidence too.”
Alcaraz, too, has spoken about his form and mindset heading into the final. “Just the level that I start the match, just wanted to keep that level really high during the whole match. I’m thinking I’m doing that in this tournament, which I’m really proud about,” he said, exuding the quiet confidence that has come to define his play.
The 2025 U.S. Open has been a showcase of tennis at its absolute best, with the men’s final capping a broadcast schedule filled with drama and high stakes. Fans can catch the action live on ABC and ESPN Deportes, with streaming options available via ESPN unlimited, DirecTV, Fubo, and more. Pre-show coverage kicks off at 1:30 p.m. ET, setting the stage for what’s sure to be a gripping contest.
For those looking to follow every twist and turn, ESPN’s new unlimited package has been a game-changer. At $29.99 per month, it offers access to all of ESPN’s linear networks, on-demand replays, and original programming—plus, for a limited time, bundled deals with Disney+ and Hulu. DirecTV’s Choice tier, now discounted for new subscribers, also grants access to a full suite of sports channels, including the Tennis Channel, ensuring nobody has to miss a moment of the action.
There’s another twist to this year’s final: U.S. President Donald Trump is set to attend, marking his first appearance at the tournament since 2015. According to the U.S. Tennis Association, the president will watch the match from a client suite, adding a layer of political intrigue to an already high-profile sporting event. Alcaraz, for his part, isn’t letting the added attention rattle him. “I don’t want myself to be nervous because of it, but I think, attending the tennis match, it’s great for tennis to have the president [at] the final,” he remarked.
As the clock ticks down to the opening serve, fans and analysts alike are left to wonder: Will Alcaraz reclaim his U.S. Open crown and the world No. 1 ranking, or will Sinner defend his title and further cement his place among the sport’s elite? With $5 million on the line and history beckoning, the only certainty is that tennis lovers are in for a treat.
The stage is set, the players are ready, and the world will be watching as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner write yet another unforgettable chapter in their rivalry. With every point, every rally, and every moment under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe, the future of men’s tennis continues to unfold—one electrifying match at a time.
