In a powerful display of poise and precision, Jannik Sinner came out on top against his great rival Carlos Alcaraz, defeating him 7–6 (4), 7–5 in the final of the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals to successfully defend his title. The Italian raised the trophy amid raucous support from his home crowd in Turin.
Sinner’s win extended his indoor hard court unbeaten streak to a staggering 31 matches, further cementing his reputation as the master of indoor conditions. He also emerged from the week without dropping a setm a rare feat that has only been achieved in back-to-back years by legends like Ivan Lendl.
A battle of “Sincaraz” supremacy
Throughout 2025, Sinner and Alcaraz defined men’s tennis. They both hoarded the biggest titles, 4 Grand Slams and Masters 1000, and arrived in Turin as the top two seeds, their rivalry building toward a fitting climax.
The final unfolded with the tension and quality worthy of the season’s two best players. The first set quickly became a showcase of contrasts: Alcaraz’s explosive creativity against Sinner’s metronomic depth and precision. Alcaraz came out swinging, using abrupt changes of direction and aggressive court positioning to pull Sinner off balance, while the Italian countered with immaculate timing from the baseline and a serve that repeatedly got him out of danger. The rallies grew longer and more physical as the set progressed, each player testing the other’s legs and patience. At 5–6, facing a set point, Sinner responded with one of the boldest shots of the match, a 117-mph second serve down the T that froze Alcaraz and reset the momentum. In the tiebreak he elevated further, producing two breathtaking defensive lobs that turned points from near-certain losses into winners, leaving Alcaraz shaking his head as the Italian surged ahead and closed out the opener.
The second set began with Alcaraz making a determined push, breaking immediately with a flurry of inside-out forehands and a perfectly disguised backhand pass. For a moment, the Spaniard seemed ready to flip the script, but Sinner absorbed the surge with striking calm. He broke back in the very next game by redirecting pace effortlessly, then settled into a punishing rhythm from the back of the court. Both men dug in during a series of extended exchanges that showcased their athleticism and shotmaking, with neither willing to concede an inch. At 5–5, Alcaraz created a small opening with a pair of searing returns, but Sinner wiped it away with unreturnable first serves before stealing the next game with a flurry of line-hugging backhands. Serving at 6–5, he delivered one of his cleanest games of the night, sealing the championship with a forehand winner struck on the rise, a final statement of control at the end of a match defined by razor-thin margins and unwavering composure.
Mastering the moment
- With this title, Sinner becomes only the second man after Lendl (Ivan Lendl, who actually did it three times in 1982, 1985 and 1986) to win back-to-back ATP Finals without dropping a set.
- He now holds the highest win-percentage in ATP Finals history (minimum 10 matches played), having improved his mark to 0.882 (15–2) in the event.
- The victory also brought his sixth title of the 2025 season, including other big wins in Melbourne (Australian Open), Wimbledon, Paris, Beijing, and Vienna.
- Financially, the triumph carried a massive reward: Sinner claimed US$5.071 million, the largest payout in the tournament’s history.
Quotes from Sinner and Alcaraz
At the trophy ceremony, an emotional Sinner acknowledged the role of his support:
“We are individual athletes but without my team, this is not possible… Celebrating this trophy at the end of the year after such an intense last couple of months, there is no better ending. […] It was a very, very close match … it means the world to me ending the season like this … it is amazing.”
Alcaraz, gracious in defeat, praised Sinner’s performance:
“He is someone who has not lost a match on an indoor court for two years now … that means how great a player you are.”
From a wider perspective, the match deepened one of the most compelling rivalries in modern men’s tennis. After splitting the four Grand Slams evenly this year, and now trading high-stakes finals, Sinner and Alcaraz have staked out a rivalry that might very well define the era.
Until next season
With the ATP Finals now concluded, the 2025 singles season draws to a formal close, though a few events remain on the horizon, including offseason events and preparations. For Sinner, this win represents not just a successful year-end finale, but a powerful launchpad into 2026: a season where expectations will be higher than ever. And looking ahead, both the Italian and the Spaniard will chase the ultimate milestone: completing the Career Grand Slam in 2026, winning all four majors at least once. For now, Sinner is missing Roland-Garros, while Alcaraz still needs the Australian Open…