 "Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been the top two players this season, winning all four majors between them. Image: Reuters")
Carlos Alcaraz started his ATP Finals campaign with a gritty win over Alex de Minaur in Turin on Sunday, November 7. With this victory, the Spaniard is keeping his hopes alive of ending the 2025 season as the world’s top-ranked player. The 22-year-old was tested in a tight first set but lifted his level in the second to take a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win.
Alcaraz entered the season finale just behind Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the ATP rankings, but with the final battle still ongoing in Turin, the race is far from over. Sinner, who won back-to-back titles in Vienna and Paris before the ATP Finals, currently holds the edge over Alcaraz, but the US Open champion still has the chance to take the fight down to the wire.
“This tournament is one of the best tournaments we have on tour, without a doubt. We’re playing against the best players in the world, which shows how difficult and important it is," Alcaraz said after his win on Sunday.
“I’ve been struggling in the past few years to come to the end of the year with motivation. This year is a little bit different, which I’m proud about, I’m doing the right things to give myself a shot to try and win this tournament,” he added.
What Alcaraz needs to do?
For Alcaraz to reclaim the world No.1 ranking, the equation is straightforward - he must win all three of his group-stage matches in Turin. That would guarantee him enough points to finish the season above Sinner, regardless of the Italian’s results.
However, the second scenario is that Alcaraz could still afford to lose one group match and remain in contention if he goes on to reach the final. In that case, the ranking outcome would depend on how far Sinner progresses.
Currently, Alcaraz is ahead in the live rankings after his opening win. Sinner is yet to play his first match of the tournament, which is scheduled against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime on Tuesday, November 11.
Sinner is the defending champion, having defeated the USA’s Taylor Fritz in the final last year. With both players in red-hot form, their performances in the upcoming matches could decide who gets the ultimate crown of men’s tennis in 2025.