It is the duel that many expected before the start of the tournament: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz face each other in the US Open final. For the third time in a row, the two play a Grand Slam final-a novelty in the open era. It will also be the eighth major title in a row that goes either to the Italian or the Spaniard. In doing so, you are closer to the record of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who won eleven Grand Slams in a row between 2005 and 2010.
For Sinner, it’s about defending the title in New York since Federer in 2008. Alcaraz, on the other hand, wants to get the trophy back, which he won for the first time in 2022. But not only the last Grand Slam title of the year is at stake. The number one in the world rankings also decides in this final.
A year with opposing courses
The differences could hardly have been greater twelve months ago. Despite the vertebrae about his failed doping tests, Sinner confidently triumphed in Flushing Meadows in 2024. He received 2,000 points for the victory and rose to first place in the world. Alcaraz, on the other hand, was already eliminating Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round and only gathered 50 points after winning Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
Alcaraz closed the gap this season. He won the Masters in Cincinnati after Sinner had to give up in the final due to illness. The Spaniard moved up to 2,000 points. Since the previous year’s points have now been deducted, the situation has dramatically worsened before the final. If Sinner wins, he remains number one with 11,480 points. Gets Alcaraz the title, he outsources it with 11,540 points.
Meaning for the world rankings
Sinner led the world rankings for the first time after the French Open 2024 and has been standing at the top of 65 weeks now – the eleventh series in history. For a first term, it is even the fourth longest of all time. Only Lleyton Hewitt, Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer stayed at the top in their debut.
Alcaraz, in turn, looks back at 36 weeks as number one. He already held the top position four times, most recently in September 2023. On Sunday, both have the chance to write a new chapter in their still young rivalry – with direct impact on the top of the world ranking.
