Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have a superb rivalry that is only just getting started on the ATP Tour.
The two players have shared the last eight Grand Slams between them, and some believe Alcaraz and Sinner are creating a problem for tennis.
Sinner praised Alex de Minaur after beating him in the China Open semifinal, and Learner Tien now awaits in the final.
Alcaraz had kind words for Taylor Fritz after beating him in Japan, and afterwards, he announced his decision to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters.
As a result, Sinner might just be eyeing up a reunion with the world number one spot after losing that mantle following his US Open final defeat to Alcaraz.
Photo by Fred Lee/Getty ImagesWhen Jannik Sinner can now become world number one again
With Alcaraz enduring an injury scare of his own in Japan, the best player in the world has decided to take a break from action.
That will be music to the ears of Sinner, and the world number one position is firmly in his hands.
Sinner can now go back to the world number one spot on October 27th but he will have to stay in solid form to do so.
He would have to win the China Open final against Tien and then win the tournaments in Shanghai and Vienna, too.
Even then, he wouldn’t keep the position for long, with Alcaraz set to reclaim the position after one week.
The points from last year’s ATP Finals will drop after the Paris Masters, and with Sinner claiming 1500 and Alcaraz just 200, he will return to the top spot.
Sinner can return to world #1 in October 27th if he wins Beijing, Shanghai and Vienna.
Then he would still lose it after one week, as the 2024 ATP Finals points (1500 vs. Alcaraz’s 200) drop after Paris (where he can earn maximum 1000).
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 30, 2025
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Alcaraz making wise choice by choosing to miss Shanghai
It will be heartbreaking news for Shanghai that the world’s best player has chosen to skip the tournament, but he’s making a wise decision.
It’s not easy with the Shanghai Masters being so close to the Japan Open, and with that in mind, other players might withdraw.
Alcaraz has a busy end of the year planned, and missing this one tournament could allow him the chance to reset and get his body right, ready for the ATP Finals.
Sinner and Alcaraz will rotate at the top of the rankings on a regular basis and clearly, Alcaraz is quite relaxed about potentially losing his place at the summit.