Follow us on Google Discover Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have played out a thrilling battle on the ATP Tour in 2025, and it isn’t over yet.
Alcaraz is currently number one in the world, closely followed by Sinner in second, with both players having already qualified for the ATP Finals.
They have also dominated the Grand Slams in the 2025 season, with the duo combining to win each of the four titles, just as they did last year.
Alcaraz versus Sinner is the best rivalry in men’s tennis right now, and that theme could continue for some time.
But it is the Spaniard who looks set to win that battle this year as he closes in on the year-end number one spot.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesSam Querrey says if he thinks Jannik Sinner can catch Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP rankings
Sinner will need to win his remaining events and Alcaraz will need to suffer early exits if there is to be a dramatic change at this late stage of the season.
And discussing whether or not that could happen, Sam Querrey said on Tennis Channel: “[Carlos] isn’t going to go lose lose to end the year, right? I think Carlos is going to win some matches, maybe some tournaments.
“But Sinner last year, remember how well he played at the end of the year? He could roll off three in a row late, but I think the lead from Carlos is just too much right now.”
Sam Querrey shares reaction to Jannik Sinner’s cramps at the Shanghai Masters
The Italian’s quest for a late scare certainly wasn’t helped at the Shanghai Masters, where Sinner retired hurt with cramps.
He had a fantastic chance to close the gap on the Spaniard given Alcaraz wasn’t playing the ATP Masters 1000 event, but it wasn’t meant to be amid the tricky conditions.
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Analysing Sinner’s cramps, Querrey said: “Very rare, and tough to watch, anytime you see a guy cramp, but this kind of lasted for maybe eight to 10 minutes.
“He was trying to get through it, trying to see if the cramps would subside. They didn’t. And then ultimately he had to retire.”
ATP year-end number one race
Sinner also retired in his Cincinnati Open final with Alcaraz earlier this season, with the latter then beating the former in the final of the US Open not long after.
Their thrilling rivalry could be renewed at the upcoming ATP Masters 1000 Paris, along with next month’s ATP Finals in Turin.