Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will meet in the US Open final on Sunday, completing an unprecedented trilogy of grand slam finals between the two in a single season. It is the first time in the Open era that two men have faced each other in three major finals in one year, and in consecutive tournaments.
The pair have split the four grand slam titles in 2024, with Alcaraz winning the French Open and Sinner triumphing at Wimbledon. Their rivalry has intensified, with five consecutive finals, including a recent meeting in Cincinnati where Sinner retired due to illness while trailing 5-0. The stakes are high: if Alcaraz wins, he will replace Sinner as world number one.
Off the court, the two have crossed paths unexpectedly, including twice dining at the same restaurant in New York. Sinner remarked, 'On court we like to see each other, because it means that considering our ranking, we are doing well in the tournament. Off court we bump into each other at times. I don’t know if we are happy or not.'
Alcaraz has reached the final without dropping a set for the first time, crediting his improved serve. At Wimbledon, Sinner's aggressive baseline play and strong serving neutralised Alcaraz's game. On the medium-hard courts of New York, Alcaraz may have more time to use his kick-serve and topspin forehand to disrupt Sinner's rhythm.
The final marks a full-circle moment, three years after Alcaraz's dramatic five-set win over Sinner at 2:50am in New York. Their dominance has raised questions about the depth of men's tennis, as the pair have outperformed the rest of the field, much like the 'big three' before them.
