US Open: Jannik Sinner has his own battle, not just Alcaraz threat in title defence

Over the past year, men’s tennis has largely revolved around Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The two rising stars have split every Grand Slam since early 2024, trading titles and the No.1 ranking in a rivalry many compare to the Federer–Nadal era, blending skill, intensity, and generational change.

The rivalry stats tell their own story. Each of the last five encounters between Sinner and Alcaraz has come in a final, underlining just how consistently the two have separated themselves from the pack. Alcaraz leads 6-1 in their previous seven matches, holding a clear edge on hard courts at 6-2, while Sinner has reigned supreme on grass, winning both their Wimbledon title clashes in 2022 and 2025.

But as the 2025 US Open begins, Sinner’s greatest opponent isn’t just Alcaraz. It’s his own body.

The defending champion arrives in New York battling fitness concerns after a summer marked by interruptions. He was forced to retire from the Cincinnati final against Alcaraz just five games in due to illness, skipped the mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows, and still carries the after-effects of an elbow injury first sustained at Wimbledon. Though he overcame that setback to defeat Alcaraz in the SW19 final, Sinner admits he’s far from peak condition.

“Physically I feel good. I have recovered mostly, not 100% yet, but we are aiming to be there in a couple of days,” Sinner said before his opening match against Czech player Vit Kopriva. “It’s the last Grand Slam of the season, so the motivation is very high.”

Tough path for the defending champion

Sinner’s draw isn’t straightforward either. He could face last year’s semifinalist Jack Draper in the quarterfinals before a potential rematch with Alcaraz deep into the second week. Their head-to-head remains tilted towards the Spaniard, who leads 9–5 overall, including a memorable win in the 2022 US Open quarterfinals before going on to claim the title.

This time, Sinner returns as the hunted rather than the hunter, the world No.1 trying to protect both his crown and his ranking points. To stay atop the ATP rankings after New York, he must at least match Alcaraz’s run.

And yet, the Italian seems unfazed by the hype around their rivalry. “At the moment, me and Carlos are sharing big trophies,” he said. “But there are many great players out there. To get to the final, it’s never easy.”

The New York factor

Defending titles at Flushing Meadows has become one of tennis’ toughest asks. No man has won back-to-back US Opens since Roger Federer’s five-peat between 2004 and 2008. Sinner believes the tournament’s unique rhythm contributes to that difficulty.

“It changes a lot if you play night or day here,” he explained. “We sleep in the city, travel takes time small things add up. If you don’t handle them well, it’s tough to play your best tennis.”

With the men’s final set for September 7, Sinner knows the fortnight will test both his tennis and his endurance. The illness, the pressure of defending points, the looming presence of Alcaraz — all combine to make this campaign about far more than just winning matches.

Despite all the noise surrounding Alcaraz, Sinner’s biggest question mark in New York could be his own fitness. A year ago, he claimed the US Open crown by defeating Taylor Fritz in the final. This time, the real battle starts even before his first match.

“I always say the future is unpredictable,” Sinner reflected. “Let’s see what happens this time.”

One thing is certain — if Sinner conquers both his body and the draw, the rivalry with Alcaraz could deliver yet another blockbuster finale. But for now, the defending champion’s fight is as much inward as it is outward.