They have captivated the tennis world throughout 2025, becoming the first pair of players to compete in three men’s Grand Slam finals in Open Era history, and the de facto No.1 and No.2 (pick who’s on top at any time) in the men’s game.
So it is only suitable for this Carlos Alcaraz AND Jannik the Sinner will complete a final arc around the 2025 ATP season on Sunday in Turin as they contest the title match of the Nitto ATP Finals.
Alcaraz passed his test with flying colors on Saturday as he defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime to join Sinner in the final, 6-2, 6-4. It was another devastating display from the 22-year-old Spaniard, who appeared in menacing form and never let the towering Canadian into the fray.
“I felt like I could do anything on the field,” Alcaraz said in his first appearance. “It didn’t matter if I hit a forehand on the line, a drop shot or a backhand on the line, I felt like everything was going to be good. I think that confidence helped her throughout the match, pushing her to the limit, pushing her to do something different, and I’m just happy to continue to play such great tennis.”
Alcaraz used that first to reach a regular score of 25 winners against 10 unforced errors, including 15 from the forehand side, to just four for Auger-Aliassime (Alcaraz’s total was +11 winners before errors, while Auger-Aliassime was -8).
Alcaraz broke for 3-1 and again for 6-2 as he came out of the gates with some of the best tennis he has ever produced on a difficult indoor court. Auger-Aliassime, who leads the ATP with 17 indoor victories this year, was simply no match for the Spaniard.
Alcaraz saved the only break point he faced and converted three of eight chances to win a relatively one-sided contest in 22 minutes, and will now set his 16th career meeting with defending ATP Finals champion Sinner on Sunday.
“I’m happy to see myself in these finals, to be honest,” said Alcaraz. “That means the level we’re doing, we’re playing all season long, consistently playing great tennis.
“Jannik and I (are) playing the final. I think every time we face each other, we raise our level, which I think for tennis, for the tournament, for the crowd, it’s a great match to watch. I think that means we’re doing a really good job of it.”
The pair have not played since Alcaraz defeated Sinner in four sets in this year’s US Open final, which elevated the Spaniard to No. 1. Since then, the pair have fallen at the top of the rankings, with Alcaraz closing down the year-end No.1 ranking earlier this week.
But there will be a lot at stake between the two rivals. Sinner is riding a 30-game winning streak indoors and will look to defend his title in Turin. If he is successful, he will become the youngest player to successfully defend the title since Roger Federer in 2003 and 2004.
Alcaraz is playing in his first ATP Finals title match – he holds a 10-5 lifetime advantage over Sinner, including 7-2 on hard courts.
Alcaraz has now reached 10 finals in his last 11 matches and will bid for his 25th career title. Sinner will bid on his 24th.
Alcaraz is bidding to join Manuel Orantes and Alex Corretja as one of three Spaniards to have won the final ATP season title. It’s a tournament that Rafael Nadal has never won (he played in the final in 2010 and 2012, losing to Federer and Djokovic), but Alcaraz is making success in Turin a priority this year. His desire to achieve a higher level of success on a difficult surface speaks volumes for his long-term commitment to not leaving any of his great potential untapped.
“It means a lot to me because the last part of the year I’ve been working hard and I’ve been really focused just to be in good shape to play this tournament,” Alcaraz said.
Of course we have really important indoor tournaments. For me, I was very focused on that in particular. To come here, to play good tennis and to be able to lift the trophy at the end of the week means a lot to me, even more to win Jannik, and to be on the same list with Orantes and Corretja, to be the Spaniard to win this tournament. Putting my name next to them would be nice.
