Sinner Eyes ATP Finals Glory as Rivalry With Alcaraz and Off-Court Tensions Intensify

Posted : 08 November 2025

Jannik Sinner begins his ATP Finals title defence on Sunday in Turin, hoping to close out a remarkable yet turbulent 2025 season that could culminate in another showdown with his great rival, Carlos Alcaraz. The World No. 1 has enjoyed a stellar campaign, winning two Grand Slam titles, including a memorable Wimbledon final triumph over Alcaraz, adding to his reputation as the sport’s most consistent performer.

Sinner and Alcaraz headline the Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors groups respectively and are favourites to advance to the knockout stages of the eight-man event. Their potential meeting in the semifinals or final would renew a rivalry that has defined men’s tennis in recent years.

Despite his dominance on court, Sinner’s year has not been without setbacks. A three-month suspension earlier in the season for accidental contamination with clostebol disrupted his rhythm, though the World Anti-Doping Agency later cleared him of intentional wrongdoing. His withdrawal from Italy’s Davis Cup title defence also drew criticism from sections of the Italian media, some of whom questioned his commitment to representing the country.

Sinner, who hails from the German-speaking South Tyrol region and resides in Monaco, reaffirmed his identity in a recent interview with Sky Italia, saying he remains “proud to be Italian.” He is expected to enjoy strong home support once again in Turin, where he went unbeaten en route to last year’s title while Alcaraz exited in the group stage.

While Sinner tops the world rankings heading into the Finals, Alcaraz still has a chance to overtake him for the year-end No. 1 spot if he performs better in Turin. The pair trained together on Friday, underlining the respect that underpins their fierce but friendly rivalry.

This year’s Finals also take place amid growing tensions between tennis’ top players and Grand Slam organisers over revenue sharing and player welfare. Both ATP and WTA stars have demanded a greater share of tournament profits and improved pension contributions. Although Aryna Sabalenka voiced frustration at stalled talks, Sinner and fellow player representative Alex de Minaur have stayed cautious on the issue after early discussions in Paris earlier this year.

Sinner Eyes ATP Finals Glory as Rivalry With Alcaraz and Off-Court Tensions Intensify

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