With Carlos Alcaraz’s victory in the US Open final, Jannik Sinner’s first spell at the top of the ATP rankings came to an end after 65 weeks. The Italian had reached world No. 1 on June 10, 2024. Since the computerized ranking system was introduced, only three players have managed a longer first stint as No. 1: Roger Federer (237 weeks), Jimmy Connors (160) and Lleyton Hewitt (75).
Yet Italian tennis remains a powerhouse in 2025. Italy was the only nation to place two players in the men’s singles quarterfinals at the US Open, and this week counts four top-30 players—an achievement matched only by the United States—thanks to Luciano Darderi’s rise to world No. 30 after winning the Genoa Challenger. Four Italians are also currently in qualifying positions for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin: Sinner (already qualified), Lorenzo Musetti (No. 8 in the singles Race), and the doubles team of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori (No. 6 in the doubles Race).
For Alcaraz, the New York triumph marked his return to world No. 1 for the first time since September 10, 2023. He has now held the top spot for a total of 37 weeks across four separate periods. The Spaniard claimed his sixth Grand Slam title—matching Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg—and reached 14 “Big Titles” (Slams, Nitto ATP Finals, Masters 1000s, and the Olympics). His strike rate is exceptional: one major title for every 3.8 played, a pace bettered only by Novak Djokovic (3.3) and Rafael Nadal (3.5).
Despite the loss, the US Open 2025 was a resounding success for Italy. “Alongside Jannik’s run to the final, we had two Italians in the men’s singles quarterfinals—the only country to do so—and we won the mixed doubles,” said Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, speaking on SuperTennis. “The impact of these results on Italian tennis is enormous, both socially and numerically. Our channel reached 7.5 million unique viewers during the tournament, with an average viewing time of 63 minutes. These are people who are more likely to play tennis themselves, enroll their children in clubs, and strengthen the demand for our sport.”
Binaghi admitted that Alcaraz was the stronger player on the day: “He hadn’t dropped a set before the final and had reached eight consecutive finals. Jannik gave everything he had, but he came in with lower fitness compared to his opponent. Even so, he won two Slams this year and finished runner-up in the other two, despite being sidelined for three months and battling injuries in Rome and Cincinnati.”
So far in 2025, Sinner and Alcaraz have split the four Grand Slam titles. The stage is already set for their next showdown in Turin. “Jannik is an extraordinary role model for the younger generations,” Binaghi concluded. “He embodies resilience and the determination to turn around difficult situations. With Carlos, it’s two Slams each this season—we’ll see them face off again at the Nitto ATP Finals.”