Fans in Italy have shown their class with a rousing reception for Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard went down to great rival and local hero Jannik Sinner in the ATP finals decider in Turin. Reigning Australian Open champion Sinner ended the year how he started it by defending his ATP finals crown to cap off an extraordinary 2025.
But it was the Turin crowd’s unthinkable act for the Spanish runner-up that blew the tennis world away, as Alcaraz was given a standing ovation after another epic final. Alcaraz conceded before the 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 defeat to Sinner that going up against him in Turin would be like playing an away Davis Cup tie in front of a partisan crowd rooting for his opponent.
ATP finals runner-up Carlos Alcaraz was given a rousing reception by the Italian Crowd after going down to local hero Jannik Sinner in the Turin decider. Pic: Getty
However, fans in Italy showed their respect and appreciation for Alcaraz after witnessing the latest incredible chapter of the greatest rivalry in tennis. The Spaniard played some superb tennis but ultimately came up short against an opponent who has become close to unstoppable on indoor hard courts.
Sinner’s victory was his 31st straight win on indoor hard courts, a record that stretches back to 2023 when he lost the final of the same year-ending event to Novak Djokovic. And a gracious Alcaraz endeared himself to the Italian crowd after the final, praising the level of his rival and admitting there was little else he could have done to beat him.
“I’m just really really happy with the level I played today. I just played against someone who hasn’t lost a match on an indoor court in two years,” Alcaraz said about Sinner. “That shows what a great player you are. You and your team putting great work every time. You come back even stronger after every loss. You don’t have many but you come back stronger.
“I want to say it is a great year for you. It’s time to rest. Hope you’re gonna be ready for next year because I’ll be ready. Hopefully I’ll play more finals against you. Well deserved year. Well deserved trophy.”
Jannik Sinner caps off superb 2025 with another title
Sinner and Alcaraz shared 14 titles between them in 2025, including all four grand slam crowns. The Italian added Wimbledon to his Australian Open triumph after serving a doping ban following the Melbourne Park major. While Alcaraz won the French Open and US Open trophies on his way to claiming the year-end World No.1 ranking.
But it was the Italian who became the toast of Italy after prevailing in another two-and-a-quarter hour classic in Turin. Sinner’s win saw him claim back-to-back ATP finals crowns, joining Djokovic, Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Bjorn Borg and Ilie Nastase as the only players in history to achieve the feat.
Jannik Sinner celebrates with the ATP Finals trophy after joining a legendary group of players who’ve defended the season-ending title. Pic: Getty
“Celebrating this trophy at the end of the year after such an intense last couple of months, there’s no better ending for the season for me,” the 24-year-old said. “It was a very, very tough and close match-up but I’m very, very happy how I handled the situation and it means the world to me. Against Carlos you have to be at your very best.”
Sinner was certainly at his best after winning the title without dropping a set. He was pushed by Alcaraz in a tensely fought opening stanza and had to save set point at 5-6 with a big second serve, but found another level in a commanding tiebreaker.
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Alcaraz needed his right thigh to be treated by a trainer on several occasions and had the injury strapped after the first set. But the Spaniard managed to become the first opponent to break Sinner this tournament midway through the second set, only to see the Italian immediately wrestle back the advantage to level it up at 3-3.
Alcaraz had a chance to break again in the next game but mishit a forehand, and Sinner survived to pile on the pressure. He finally clinched victory when Alcaraz sent a backhand wide, sending the home crowd into raptures and improving his head-to-head record against Alcaraz to 6-10.
with AAP