Jannik Sinner will try to keep hold of his ATP Finals title starting on Sunday, ending a tricky year that could see him face his main rival, Carlos Alcaraz, again.
The world number one Sinner has already won two Grand Slams this year, including a notable Wimbledon win over Alcaraz. Both players are expected to get through their groups, meaning another big clash in the semi-finals or final is likely.
Sinner said on Friday, “If I manage to do it, great. If not, I’ve still had an incredible season with plenty of matches played and won. The first match is very important because you don’t usually face one of the top eight players in the world.”
Sinner’s 2025 season has had its ups and downs. He missed three months due to a ban after being accidentally exposed to a banned substance. He also faced criticism for skipping Italy’s Davis Cup defence. Despite some media doubts about his Italian identity, Sinner says he is “proud to be Italian.” Fans in Turin will cheer him on, remembering his unbeaten run in last year’s Finals.
Although Sinner is currently number one in the world, he could lose the top spot even if he wins. Alcaraz has a chance to take the year-end number one by performing better than he did last year.
Despite their rivalry, both players are friendly off the court. Alcaraz said, “People might think we hate each other, but that’s not true. On court, we want to win. Off court, we are the same person. It’s a healthy rivalry.”
The Finals come amid ongoing disputes between top players and Grand Slam organisers over prize money, player welfare, and consultation. Players from both ATP and WTA have asked for a bigger share of tournament revenue and contributions to welfare programmes like pensions.
