Carlos Alcaraz etched his name deeper into tennis history with a dazzling victory over Jannik Sinner to win his second US Open and sixth Grand Slam title. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who reclaimed the world number one ranking with the win, credited his success to a simple pre-tournament message he wrote to himself: “Go for it. Don’t be afraid.” Against Sinner, Alcaraz showed no hesitation, producing what his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero hailed as “a perfect performance.”
The triumph in New York was especially sweet for Alcaraz, who admitted to studying his Wimbledon final defeat to Sinner in July in order to find answers. This time, he dominated from start to finish, dropping only one set throughout the entire tournament. His serve was the foundation of his brilliance, firing 10 aces without a single double fault in the final and winning an impressive 83% of points on his first serve. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman described him as “faultless,” while Marion Bartoli declared: “Alcaraz played at a level that not a single human being on the planet can reach at the moment.”
This victory not only marked his 13th consecutive win but also made him the youngest player since Bjorn Borg to collect six major titles. With two triumphs each at the US Open, Wimbledon and French Open, Alcaraz has become the first man in history to win multiple Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces before turning 23. Now, only an Australian Open trophy stands between him and the coveted career Grand Slam, a feat many believe could arrive as soon as January.
Beyond his on-court dominance, Alcaraz’s charisma and personality continue to captivate fans. From joking about a botched haircut given by his brother to celebrating victories with playful golf swing imitations — inspired by his downtime with Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia — Alcaraz has shown he can balance maturity with lighthearted charm. His ability to blend flair with discipline has silenced past critics who accused him of prioritizing “glamour shots” over efficiency.
Alcaraz’s rivalry with Sinner now defines the modern men’s game, with their latest chapter showcasing the Spaniard’s growth and hunger. As the tennis world looks ahead to the 2026 Australian Open, few doubt that these two rising giants will meet again on the sport’s biggest stages. For now, Alcaraz leaves New York not just as champion, but as the face of a new golden era in tennis.
