Carlos Alcaraz has once again etched his name into tennis history, capturing his second US Open title and sixth Grand Slam overall in a dazzling display of skill, composure, and heart. On September 8, 2025, the 22-year-old Spaniard triumphed over his chief rival, Jannik Sinner, with a commanding 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory in the men’s singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The win not only secured Alcaraz’s place at the pinnacle of the sport—regaining the world number one ranking—but also set the stage for what many are calling the defining rivalry of this tennis generation.
From the outset, the anticipation was palpable. The final pitted the world’s top two men’s players against each other, with the coveted No. 1 ranking hanging in the balance. The stakes? Monumental. The crowd, a mix of tennis legends and A-list celebrities—among them Martina Navratilova, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Bruce Springsteen, and Steph Curry—buzzed with excitement, even as a 30-minute delay caused by President Trump’s surprise attendance and tightened security briefly overshadowed the on-court drama.
Yet, when the action finally got underway, Alcaraz wasted no time announcing his intentions. He broke Sinner’s serve in the opening game, setting the tone for a match that would swing like a pendulum. The first set was all Alcaraz, who took it 6-2 with a blend of power and finesse that left fans roaring. Sinner, the defending champion from Italy, responded in the second set, breaking Alcaraz in the fourth game and ultimately taking the set 6-3—the only set Alcaraz dropped the entire tournament. But the Spaniard roared back, breezing through the third set 6-1, making just a single unforced error. In the fourth, a critical break in the fifth game gave Alcaraz the edge, and he served out the match with an ace, sealing his sixth major title as pyrotechnics lit up the New York night.
Alcaraz’s emotions spilled over as he celebrated, first covering his face in disbelief, then unleashing his now-signature golf swing with his racquet. He sprinted into the stands to embrace his tight-knit team: his father, Carlos Alcaraz Sr.; his brother Álvaro; coach and former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero; fitness trainer Juanjo Moreno; and manager Albert Molina. The victory was a family affair, a testament to the support system that has fueled Alcaraz’s meteoric rise. "I’m so proud of the people around me. Every achievement I’ve earned is thanks to you, and this one is yours too," Alcaraz declared at the post-match press conference. He added, "Winning here again and returning to No. 1 means so much. My level of consistency throughout the tournament has been very, very high. I’m proud, because it’s something I’ve been working on, being truly consistent."
His coach, Ferrero, didn’t hold back his admiration either, telling Cadena Ser, "Carlitos did it perfectly; his dynamism turned into aggression. Hopefully, he’ll go very far; he has a huge future ahead of him." Alcaraz’s father echoed the sentiment: "It’s unbelievable…It’s incredible that at only 22 years old he already has six Grand Slams. We’re very happy, very proud. Now, time to celebrate." And celebrate they did, with a champagne shower in the locker room and laughter echoing through the halls of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
But it wasn’t all tennis for Alcaraz during his historic run in New York. The young champion found time to unwind on the golf course with none other than 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia, Spanish golfer David Puig, and his coach Ferrero. Their friendly wager—a £150 ($200) golf challenge at Deepdale Golf Club on Long Island—added a lighthearted subplot to the high-pressure tournament. Alcaraz joked to the crowd after his quarter-final win, "I mean, he has to give me between 10 to 15 shots. I’m not that good, Sergio, come on." After their match, he quipped, "He owes me $200 right now!" Garcia later confirmed, "On the 18th, in the end, they beat us and I had to pay Carlos, but since I only had $200 on me, I told him, ‘I’ll give it to you later’. After the semi-final match, I went and paid him. ‘Here, so you don’t go around saying I owe you money’."
Alcaraz’s on-court dominance was matched by his off-court humility and sense of camaraderie. He dropped just one set and was broken only three times throughout the entire tournament—a testament to the improvements in his serve and overall game. Tennis legend Andre Agassi took to social media to congratulate both Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, who clinched the women’s title. To Alcaraz, Agassi wrote: "And to @carlitosalcarazz on grand slam number 6." The praise was well-deserved, as Alcaraz’s evolution—particularly in his serve—was on full display in New York.
The day after his victory, Alcaraz appeared on the TODAY show alongside Sabalenka, reflecting on his rivalry with Sinner. "I think we push each other to the limit every time, and my practice is just focused to see how I could be better just to beat Jannik. That rivalry is special, splitting the Grand Slams, fighting for the great things, and then seeing that thanks to him I’m just a better player. I think the rivalry is great for that." Sabalenka, for her part, became the first woman to defend her US Open crown since Serena Williams, calling the achievement "insane to believe."
As the confetti settled and the celebrations carried on, it was clear that this US Open belonged to Carlos Alcaraz—not just for the trophy, but for the way he played, the way he celebrated, and the way he inspired. With a sixth Grand Slam at just 22, and a rivalry with Sinner that shows no signs of slowing down, the future of men’s tennis looks bright—and Alcaraz is leading the charge.
