Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are both on over 10,000 ATP points
Archive of posts tagged Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner answers if he will 'ever get sick of bumping into Carlos Alcaraz'
Sinner received an interesting Alcaraz question ahead of their US Open final showdown.
Carlos Alcaraz downs Novak Djokovic, reaches US Open final
Carlos Alcaraz will compete in his seventh Major final at 22
Jannik Sinner storms over Lorenzo Musetti, reaches US Open SF
Jannik Sinner will face Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the title clash
Alcaraz Has the Lead on No.1 at US Open
Carlos Alcaraz is in pole position to make his return to World No.1 status at the US Open.
The five-time champion is in better position than his rival Jannik Sinner, due to the fact that Sinner has 2000 champion points to defend, while Alcaraz only is defending 70 points for reaching the second round last year.
If Alcaraz reaches the same round as Sinner or outperforms the Italian in New York, he will return to No. 1 for the first time since 10 September 2023.
If you’re scoring at home, Sinner has spent 64 weeks at No.1; Alcaraz has spent 36.
Venus Williams Returns To US Open, Defying Age And Expectations
At 45, Venus Williams has made a historic return to the U.S. Open, becoming the oldest singles competitor in New York since 1981. Despite the media focus on her age, fellow players emphasize her iconic status and enduring influence on the sport. Williams is competing in her first Grand Slam in two years following a long break and surgery for uterine fibroids. Her resilience and love for tennis continue to inspire others, including top players like Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff. Venus, along with her sister Serena, broke barriers in tennis, with Venus being the first Black woman since Althea Gibson to win Wimbledon in 2000. With seven Grand Slam singles titles and 16 in doubles and mixed doubles, she remains a major figure in the sport. Many credit her with expanding opportunities for African-American girls in tennis and applaud her for her passion and perseverance. Venus' return is seen not just as an athletic feat, but a continuation of her legacy as a trailblazer and role model.
Top seed and defending U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner has confirmed he is fit to compete in the tournament beginning this Sunday, despite a recent virus that forced him to withdraw from a warm-up event while trailing Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian world number one stated he is not yet at full strength but expects to be ready in time. Sinner, who has won four Grand Slam titles including the 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon, enters the event with renewed composure after a turbulent 2024 marked by cleared drug test allegations. Reflecting on his rivalry with world number two Alcaraz, he emphasized its importance for the sport's future but warned against complacency due to intense ATP Tour competition. Sinner remains focused on continuous improvement as competitors become more familiar with his playing style.
Novak Djokovic is set to begin his U.S. Open campaign without participating in a competitive match since Wimbledon, opting instead for several weeks of intensive training and time with family. Currently ranked world number seven, the 38-year-old Serbian is prioritizing Grand Slam tournaments as he pursues a record 25th major title. Djokovic deliberately skipped the U.S. Open tune-up events in Toronto and Cincinnati, citing his preference to control his schedule and his diminishing interest in lengthy Masters tournaments. He expressed a desire to focus on quality over quantity in his career’s later stage. As a co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association, Djokovic also addressed recent controversies over the extended two-week format of Masters events, criticizing the inflexible long-term contracts and the limited engagement of top players in negotiations. Additionally, he praised increases in Grand Slam prize money but emphasized the ongoing global struggle for lower-ranked players to earn a sustainable income from the sport, especially when accounting for inflation.
A rising generation of teenage tennis stars is capturing attention at the 2025 U.S. Open. Among them are 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia, seeded No. 5 and the youngest woman in the top 5 since Maria Sharapova; 19-year-old João Fonseca of Brazil, who reached Wimbledon's third round; 19-year-old Learner Tien of the U.S., with four top-10 wins and a match scheduled against Novak Djokovic; and 18-year-old Vicky Mboko of Canada, who surged from No. 350 to No. 24 in the rankings after a breakthrough win in Montreal. These teenagers are building on the success of past young champions like Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu. Despite the early success, high expectations and media pressure can be challenging. Andreeva emphasizes learning from setbacks, while Mboko credits self-belief as key to her rapid ascent. Other teens to watch include Maya Joint from Australia, Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic, and 17-year-old Iva Jović of California. Their performances at the Open highlight a promising future for this new wave of talent in professional tennis.
Madison Keys, currently ranked world number six, enters the 2025 U.S. Open with renewed confidence and reduced pressure after clinching her first Grand Slam title earlier this year at the Australian Open. She triumphed over world number one Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne, alleviating the long-standing expectations that began with her breakout as a teenager. Keys, now 30, first reached a major semi-final at 19 and was runner-up at the 2017 U.S. Open. Despite a quarter-final loss to Coco Gauff at the French Open and a third-round exit at Wimbledon, she remains determined to add another major title to her career. Keys expressed that winning her first Grand Slam has given her a sense of freedom and belief in her ability to succeed again. She also shared her fondness for playing at Flushing Meadows, citing the electric atmosphere and support from the home crowd as motivating factors. She will begin her U.S. Open campaign against Mexican player Renata Zarazua on Sunday.
US Open 2025: Record Prize Money And Key Player Updates
The 2025 U.S. Open, set to commence on August 24, has announced a record-breaking total prize pool of $90 million, marking a 20% increase from the previous year and the largest in tennis history. Both men's and women's singles champions will receive $5 million each, up from $3.6 million in 2024. Prize money escalates through each round, starting at $110,000 for players in the round of 128. In doubles, champions will receive $1 million, while mixed doubles winners also take home $1 million, reflecting increased payouts across all categories. These hikes respond to player demands for better compensation.
Top seed and defending U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner has confirmed he is fit to compete in the tournament, despite a recent virus that forced him to withdraw from a warm-up event while trailing Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian world number one stated he is not yet at full strength but expects to be ready in time. Sinner, who has won four Grand Slam titles including the 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon, enters the event with renewed composure after a turbulent 2024 marked by cleared drug test allegations. Reflecting on his rivalry with world number two Alcaraz, he emphasized its importance for the sport's future but warned against complacency due to intense ATP Tour competition. Sinner remains focused on continuous improvement as competitors become more familiar with his playing style.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to break a decade-long U.S. Open trend where no woman has successfully defended the title since Serena Williams' wins from 2012 to 2014. Returning as the 2024 champion, Sabalenka arrives in New York after a mixed season, finishing runner-up in two Grand Slams and reaching the semi-finals in another. Acknowledging the pressure of defending her title, she remains optimistic, drawing strength from her past success and growth. Sabalenka also reflected on how her former coach, Gavin MacMillan, helped her recover her serve during a career crisis—though he is now coaching American Coco Gauff. Despite the challenge of possibly losing her world number one ranking if she falls short, Sabalenka remains positive about her season and determined to improve further for next year.
Novak Djokovic is set to begin his U.S. Open campaign without participating in a competitive match since Wimbledon, opting instead for several weeks of intensive training and time with family. Currently ranked world number seven, the 38-year-old Serbian is prioritizing Grand Slam tournaments as he pursues a record 25th major title. Djokovic deliberately skipped the U.S. Open tune-up events in Toronto and Cincinnati, citing his preference to control his schedule and his diminishing interest in lengthy Masters tournaments. He expressed a desire to focus on quality over quantity in his career’s later stage. As a co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association, Djokovic also addressed recent controversies over the extended two-week format of Masters events, criticizing the inflexible long-term contracts and the limited engagement of top players in negotiations. Additionally, he praised increases in Grand Slam prize money but emphasized the ongoing global struggle for lower-ranked players to earn a sustainable income from the sport, especially when accounting for inflation.
In the realm of emerging talent, 17-year-old American Darwin Blanch has made a significant impact by winning the U.S. National Under-18 Championship, earning him a wild card entry into the main draw of the 2025 U.S. Open. Trained at the JC Ferrero Tennis Academy in Spain since 2022, Blanch showcased his skills at the ATP 250 Winston-Salem tournament, where he secured his first official ATP Tour victory by defeating veteran Borna Coric. Currently ranked 409th in the world, Blanch's aggressive playing style, maturity, and mental strength position him as a rising star in American tennis. His participation in the U.S. Open marks a significant milestone in his promising career.
As the U.S. Open approaches, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation. The tournament not only offers record-breaking prize money but also features compelling storylines, including defending champions aiming to break historical trends, seasoned players adjusting their strategies, and young talents making their mark on the sport's grandest stage. Fans worldwide are eager to witness the unfolding drama and athleticism that the U.S. Open consistently delivers.
Andrey Rublev reflects on facing Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati
Rublev defeated Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open
Steve Johnson believes Carlos Alcaraz will overtake Jannik Sinner
Alcaraz and Sinner’s rivalry went up a level this season
Roger Federer Return Set For Shanghai Exhibition Doubles
By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 11, 2025
Photo credit: Wilson
The Swiss Maestro will make the strings sing in Shanghai in October.
Former world No. 1 Roger Federer announced he will play an exhibition doubles match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on October 10th.
“Shanghai has always been a special place for me, with great fans, unforgettable memories and a real love for the game,” Federer said in a video message posted on the tournament’s social media channels. “I look forward to seeing you there on October 10th.
“Shanghai let’s meet.”
Roger Federer is coming back to Shanghai 🤩
Join us on October 10th for the @rogerfederer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match!#rolexshanghaimasters pic.twitter.com/6gpnkFfl6B
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) August 10, 2025
The Roger Federer and Friends Celebrity doubles match will feature actors Wu Lei and Donnie Yen, and former Chinese tennis player Zheng Jie. The Federer exhibition doubles match will be played on Qizhong Stadium’s center court.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion returned to Shanghai last fall where he practiced with Carlos Alcaraz in a session starring two of the top shotmakers in Open Era history.
An immensely popular presence in Asia, Federer is a two-time Shanghai champion.
In the 2017 final, the second-seeded Swiss played a near-flawless match firing 10 aces against no double faults and permitting just eight points on serve in a 6-4, 6-3 win over top-seeded rival Rafael Nadal.
Federer captured his first Shanghai title in 2014 out-dueling Frenchman Gilles Simon 7-6(6), 7-6(2) in a one hour, 53-minute final. The third-seeded Federer stopped top-seeded Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 in the 2014 semifinals.
In an interview with Tennis Now in New York City during the 2024 US Open, Federer said he had been hitting and was looking forward to potentially playing some exhibitions.
Visiting the Masters at Augusta National in April, Federer reiterated his desire to play some exhibitions.
“Honestly, I would love to play some more tennis again. Enough with the golf already for a moment now,” Roger told SNTV.
“I would seriously start playing 2 or 3 times a week again and hopefully get myself back on the exhibition court and hopefully maybe fill up a few nice stadiums around the world.”
In two months time, fans will see Federer back on court in Shanghai.
The secret behind Ben Shelton's rise revealed
All the players who participated in the 'Canadian Open' that took place in Toronto knew they had a huge chance due to the numerous absences among the top players. World No.1 Jannik Sinner missed the prestigious Canadian tournament and World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz also made the chosen star, as well as 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and young English star Jack Draper.
This huge chance was exploited by Ben Shelton in the best way, with the American ace who was able to win the first Masters 1000 title of his young career thanks to an amazing run. The American talent had to overcome several difficulties during the tournament, but he showed that he has grown from all points of view and the final against Karen Khachanov certified his improvements.
The two top favorites to win in Ontario were Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, while Ben was better than them at handling the pressure and will try to extend his positive momentum at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 as well. His main goal is the US Open, scheduled from August 24 to September 7, a tournament that suits his game very well (where he reached the semifinals in 2023).
Roddick praises Shelton
On the latest episode of his famous podcast, former world No.1 Andy Roddick highlighted that he has noticed some progresses in Shelton's game: “His ability to drive the backhand, middle, and cross. He is not taking random cuts down the line with it, and when he does, it’s a finishing shot. But comfort in really taking big swings through the middle, through cross.
He has developed that shot, and you say the chip is a change-up, no, it’s more than that. It gives him the option to change the pattern of the entire rally. That is a big deal. Once it comes to his forehand, he has got options.”
Ben’s next opponent in Cincy will be Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated Cameron Norrie in the previous round.
Carlos Alcaraz: 'I need to improve, but I will remain aggressive'
Carlos Alcaraz made a winning start at the Cincinnati Masters. World no. 2 battled past Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 in an hour and 41 minutes, recovering from a terrible second set and sealing the deal in the decider.
The Spaniard understands he needs to raise his level in the upcoming rounds. He disconnected mentally for a couple of points in the second set and struggled to make a comeback before raising his level in the final set.
Carlos is eager to embrace the aggressive approach on the fast hard court, risking errors but sticking to his plan of taking the ball early and gaining the advantage before his opponent.
Dazzling tennis from Carlos Alcaraz and Damir Dzumhur ✨@atptour | @TennisTV | @CincyTennis | #ATP #Tennis #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/6NvVTcVyo5
— Tennis365 (@tennis365com) August 11, 2025
World no. 2 played against three break points and failed to save any. He grabbed 46% of the return points and provided five breaks from ten chances. Everything worked well for the former finalist in the first set.
They hit over 80 unforced errors, and Alcaraz took charge from the baseline while trailing in service winners. Carlos took charge in the first set and generated chances in all four return games.
Alcaraz secured three straight breaks and moved 6-1 in front after 28 minutes. That feeling was gone in the second set! Damir bounced back and secured breaks in games three and five for a massive lead.
Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
The Bosnian closed the set at 5-2 and forced a decider. Carlos recovered and provided a break in the fourth game. He held in the next one to move 4-1 in front and closer to the finish line.
However, Alcaraz missed a game point at 4-2 and lost serve to bring his rival back to the positive side. Instead of building on that, Dzumhur hit a double fault in the eighth game and lost serve to fall 5-3 behind.
The Spaniard held in game nine and moved over the finish line.
Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
"I would say I need to play better. I started very well and felt the ball nicely. However, if you disconnect mentally, even for a couple of points, everything becomes very complicated, and it's hard to return.
I want to feel much better in my next match. In practice, we talk about being completely focused and thinking positively all the time. If things are not going well, I have to keep doing what I'm doing because eventually I will improve and things will go in the right direction.
That's what I tried today, even after making mistakes. I know what my goals are in this tournament and how I approach each match. I have to stick to that. Those things will work out in the end.
I would like to continue playing very aggressively. The conditions are very fast, and everything becomes much better if you manage to attack first. I would like to make my opponents suffer, and I hope to feel better with every match," Carlos Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz Denies Dzumhur in Cincinnati Adventure
By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 10, 2025
Photo credit: Cincinnati Open Facebook
A month after Jannik Sinner dethroned Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, the world No. 2 renewed his rivalry with the top-ranked Italian driving the ball deep on an Ohio golf course.
Today, Alcaraz launched his Cincinnati return teeing off in the opening set before hitting himself into deep rough.
Ultimately, Alcaraz used every club in his bag to defeat Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 in his Cincinnati Open opener.
In his first match since losing to Sinner 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz showed little rust in the first set, fell into a sloppy hole in the second set then broke twice in the decider to deter a tough Dzumhur.
This was Alcaraz’s first hard-court match since his surprising three-set loss to David Goffin in his Miami Open opener.
For the ✌️
The moment @carlosalcaraz finished off a wild one with Dzumhur to stretch his Masters winning streak to 12! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/Kw6nr8TiAb
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
Alcaraz converted five of 10 break points vs. the 5’9” Dzumhur, but didn’t save any of the three break points he faced, littered 44 unforced errors and suffered some concentration lapses. Alcaraz netted a few drop shots, built a 4-1 lead in the final set only to double fault and muff a serve and volley to hand the break back in the seventh game. Credit a tough Dzumhur, who took a set off two-time Roland Garros champion Alcaraz in Paris this year, for fighting all the way through.
Still, despite his mis-steps, Alcaraz drilled a deep forehand return then exploited his opponent’s lone double fault of the day to break back for 5-3.
Serving for the third round, Alcaraz unleashed a 131 mph blast and closed in one hour, 41 minutes.
After the hand shake, Alcaraz trotted back on the court and erupted in a “Vamos! Vamos!” scream expressing both excitement and relief.
The reigning Roland Garros champion scored his ATP-best 49th win of the season setting up a third-round clash with either Hamad Medjedovic or Tallon Griekspoor.
Alcaraz grew up looking up to tennis heroes Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
In the opening set, the Spaniard paid tribute to seven-time Cincinnati champion Federer featuring the Swiss Maestro’s famed SABR attack. Alcaraz ran down a challenging drop shot to earn set point in the seventh game.
Then the explosive Alcaraz recalled SABR taking a full sprint up to a second-serve return successfully forcing the error to score his third break and seize a one-set lead after just 29 minutes of play.
Though Alcaraz was in free flow through the first set he crashed in the second.
The five-time Grand Slam champion coughed up 17 unforced errors in the second set infusing Dzumhur with confidence and aggression.
In a sloppy fourth game, Alcaraz botched a volley, netted a forehand then ballooned a forehand drive well long gifting Dzumhur the break and a 2-1 lead.
The 33-year-old Bosnian ran off 12 of 13 points in one stretch wrapping a pair of love holds around that break for a 3-1 lead.
Struggling to win points off his second serve, Alcaraz pushed a routine volley long as Dzumhur scored his second straight break for 4-1.
Pumping his fist to his box, the world No. 56 backed up the break for 5-1. Alcaraz made successive return errors—his 16th and 17th of the set—as Dzumhur seized the second set to force a decider.
Alcaraz breezed through a love hold for a 2-1 lead in the decider. Then the pair produced a highlight reel game.
The speedy Alcaraz ran down a drop shot, dabbed a stretch volley then turned with his back to net sprinted back to the baseline and clubbed a tomahawk forehand pass extending the fourth game to deuce. Drilling a diagonal forehand gave Alcaraz the break and a 3-1 lead.
Bringing the HEAT 🔥
360 degrees of filth from @carlosalcaraz #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/a1F5kON4xd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
Dabbing a drop shot, Alcaraz extended the lead to 4-1 and seemed to be in total command.
But a defiant Dzumhur kept battling and Alcaraz betrayed his cause with some wayward shotmaking as the grew tighter again.
"Alcaraz with the river card" 😱@carlosalcaraz #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/6fwa69NEwa
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
The Dzumhur double fault on break point gave Alcaraz a crucial 5-3 lead and he took care of business in the final game. An adventurous up and down win that sends the Spaniard into round three.
Carlos Alcaraz battles past Damir Dzumhur in Cincinnati
World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz passed the first obstacle at the Cincinnati Masters. Like at Roland Garros, the Spaniard had to dig deep against Damir Dzumhur, earning a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 victory in an hour and 41 minutes.
Carlos made a reliable start before losing ground in set number two. The runner-up from two years ago forged an early advantage in the third set and grabbed two breaks to seal the deal and emerge at the top.
The favorite claimed ten points more and made the difference behind the first serve. Alcaraz faced three break points and suffered as many breaks. He stole 46% of the return points and provided five breaks from ten opportunities.
Bringing the HEAT 🔥
360 degrees of filth from @carlosalcaraz #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/a1F5kON4xd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 10, 2025
They sprayed over 80 unforced errors. The Bosnian took a slim advantage in service winners, and the Spaniard responded with a fine performance from the baseline and at the net.
World no. 2 was off to a great start. He created break chances in all four return games of the first set and delivered three straight breaks for 6-1 in 28 minutes. Damir bounced back in the second set.
He provided four fine holds and clinched breaks in games three and five. The Bosnian forged a massive lead and clinched the set 6-2 on his serve to gain a boost and force a decider.
Carlos Alcaraz & Damir Dzumhur, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard made a fresh start and secured a break in game four for a 4-1 advantage. He wasted a game point in game seven and lost serve to bring Dzumhur back to the positive side.
The Bosnian hit a costly double fault in game eight, losing serve again and falling 5-3 behind. Carlos served for the win at 5-3 and welcomed the rival's backhand error to seal the deal and make a winning start.
Holger Rune joins Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner in exclusive 'Club 50'
Holger Rune celebrated a milestone victory in Cincinnati. The young Dane ousted Roman Safiullin 7-5, 7-6 in an hour and 58 minutes in the second round, prevailing and making a winning start.
Holger celebrated his 50th Masters 1000 victory, becoming the fourth player born in 2000 or later to achieve that. Rune joined Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the exclusive 'Club 50.'
The Dane claimed his first Masters 1000 win in Indian Wells three and a half years ago. He claimed the Paris Masters crown later that season following five straight top-10 triumphs!
Un triunfo especial💥
Holger Rune🇩🇰 consigue su primer triunfo en Cincinnati venciendo a Roman Safiullin🇷🇺 7-5 y 7-6
📌El danés ya registra 5️⃣0️⃣ victorias en Masters1000#CincyTennis
— Iván Aguilar (@ivabianconero) August 9, 2025
Holger was the finalist in Monte Carlo and Rome in the spring of 2023, and his most recent Masters 1000 final came in Indian Wells this March. The youngster will seek his fifth Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati.
The 7th seed had to dig deep in his first test in Ohio. He took six points more than Safiullin and prevailed in the decisive moments to avoid a decider. Rune lost serve two times and provided three return games from five chances.
They sprayed over 70 unforced errors, and the Dane reduced the number of errors. Holger forged the advantage in service winners but lost in from the baseline. He had the upper hand in the shortest exchanges, and Roman reduced the gap in the mid-range ones.
Holger Rune, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
They traded breaks in the middle of the opening set. The Dane provided another break in game nine and served for the set at 5-4. Rune wasted two set points and lost serve.
However, he kept his composure and closed the opener with another break at 5-5 and a hold in game 12. The second set was much more fluid, with no break chances and 12 comfortable holds.
Rune grabbed two mini-breaks for a 5-2 advantage. Roman erased the deficit with a mini-break in the tenth point, locking the result at 5-5. Still, Holger claimed a decisive point on the return at 6-5, sealing the deal and making a winning start.
Roger Federer returns to Shanghai a year after practicing with Carlos Alcaraz
Roger Federer will return to Shanghai this fall. The two-time champion will embrace the Roger Federer and friends celebrity doubles match on October 10, offering his fans another chance to see him in action on the court.
Last year, the Swiss spent a couple of entertaining days in Shanghai, exploring the city and enjoying the action at the eighth Masters 1000 event of the season.
The two-time winner met Novak Djokovic, watched Jannik Sinner and trained with Carlos Alcaraz on an indoor court, joking and asking what he was doing there.
Roger Federer is coming back to Shanghai 🤩
Join us on October 10th for the @rogerfederer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match! pic.twitter.com/6gpnkFfl6B
— Rolex Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) August 10, 2025
Federer was 23-6 during his eight visits to Shanghai. The legend defeated Novak Djokovic on his debut in 2010 before losing the final to Andy Murray. The same rivals met in the semi-final two years later, and the Briton celebrated in straight sets.
Roger fell to Gael Monfils in 2013, still seeking his first title in China. It finally came in 2014 over Novak Djokovic and Gilles Simon. Alberto Ramos-Vinolas stunned him in 2015, and the crowd favorite bounced back stronger in 2017.
Federer ousted Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal en route to his second and last title in China. The Swiss played a sublime match, dropping eight points in his games and breaking his greatest rival's serve three times en route to a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Roger competed as the defending champion in 2018 and suffered a surprising loss to Borna Coric in the semi-final in straight sets. Six years ago, the two-time winner battled in China for the eighth and final time.
He lost a tight encounter to Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final, wrapping up his Shanghai Masters journey with a 23-6 score. Federer enjoyed his time in China last October, and the fans will see him again in two months.
Carlos Alcaraz faces Damir Dzumhur in Cincinnati. Another thriller coming?
World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will chase his first Cincinnati Masters title. The Spaniard starts his campaign against Damir Dzumhur, returning to action for the first time since losing his first Major final to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
Carlos and Damir embraced a thriller at Roland Garros two months ago, and maybe we can see another tight duel between them in Ohio. The Spaniard and the Bosnian faced in the third round in Paris.
The favorite prevailed 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours and 14 minutes en route to the last 16. Alcaraz controlled the pace in the opening two sets before losing his vibe and struggling in the remaining two.
Tanto le está exigiendo Dzumhur a Alcaraz que está obligándole a hacer ESTO. pic.twitter.com/K2XAcCdB8X
— José Morón (@jmgmoron) May 30, 2025
Dzumhur took the pivotal points of the third set and forged a 3-1 advantage in the fourth, using the defending champion's shaky period. However, Carlos woke up and grabbed five of the final six games to emerge at the top and avoid a decider.
The Spaniard admitted he did not know what to do in the third set, losing ground and struggling to overcome an inspired opponent. However, he found improvements and wrapped up a challenging duel in style.
Alcaraz played against 12 break points and saved nine. He generated 21 chances on the return and converted seven, including ones in the pivotal moments. The Spaniard hit 52 winners and 44 unforced errors.
Damir Dzumhur & Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 2 saved two break points in the first game of the duel and secured back-to-back breaks en route to 6-1 in under half an hour. Damir lost serve at 1-1 in the second set and fell behind.
The Bosnian served to stay in the set at 3-5 and played another loose service game, propelling his rival two sets to love in front. Dzumhur raised his level in the third set.
He secured a break in the seventh game and disturbed the rival's momentum. Damir denied six break points in games eight and ten, wrapping up the set 6-4 and gaining a boost.
Carlos made his position even more challenging after losing serve at the beginning of the fourth set. He trailed 3-1 before erasing the deficit with a break in game six.
Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2023© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard secured the seventh game after a deuce and moved in front. The defending champion made another push on the return at 4-3 and delivered another break to rattle off four games and extend the gap.
Alcaraz served for the win at 5-3 and suffered a break to keep his rival in contention. However, Dzumhur experienced another break at 4-5, propelling the favorite into the last 16.
Riccardo Piatti comments on the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
The Cincinnati Masters 1000 and the US Open represent the two new stages of the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who will compete for the first position in the ATP rankings until the end of this season. The 22-year-old Spaniard won Roland Garros for the second year in a row at the end of an epic final, in which he also cancelled out three match points, but the current world No.1 took revenge on his top rival at the Wimbledon Championships by becoming the first Italian ever to lift the trophy in London.
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria is still at the top of the ATP rankings, but he will have to defend many more points than Carlitos in the coming months and risks being overtaken. The four-time Grand Slam champion will be called upon to defend 3000 points between Cincinnati and New York, unlike his main rival who had not shone in these two events last season.
Piatti talks about Sinner and Alcaraz
There is no doubt that the US Open – scheduled in New York from August 24 to September 7 – will be fundamental in the race for the first position in the ATP rankings, with the Italian and the Spaniard doing everything possible to play their best tennis in Flushing Meadows.
In a long interview with 'La Stampa', top coach Riccardo Piatti – who worked with Sinner until 2022 – analyzed this amazing rivalry in detail: "Carlos' top goal is the US Open: if the Spaniard were to triumph in New York, it would become very difficult for Jannik to finish the year as number 1.
They are two champions who love competition and aspire to become the best version of themselves, without obsessions of any kind. Sinner has raised his level exponentially in the last year and has understood that he will have the chance to make the Grand Slam in the coming seasons. I've always thought so."
In the 2022 edition of the US Open, Jannik and Carlitos played a memorable match in the quarterfinals.
Jimmy Connors identifies 'worrying' thing about Novak Djokovic ahead of US Open
Jimmy Connors believes Novak Djokovic could still make a run for the US Open main glory but the former eight-time Grand Slam champion admits he is "worried" over the Serb not playing a single match leading up to the final Major of the year.
After losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinal – in a match where he appeared to be bothered by a leg injury he picked up a round earlier – the current world No. 6 decided to skip the Toronto Masters. Last week, the 38-year-old also pulled out of the ongoing Cincinnati Masters.
The moment Djokovic withdrew from Cincinnati, that meant he would enter a second Grand Slam in a row without playing any official tournaments leading up to it. During this past grass swing, the former world No. 1 played only one exhibition match in Hurlingham before going to Wimbledon.
Connors: One thing worries me… I wish Djokovic went to Cincinnati and played a few matches there
"You can’t count him out. The only thing that is worrying me, is I wish he would go to Cincinnati and just go and play two or three matches. That is the only thing that worries me that he left Wimbledon in the semis, which was a pretty good result, but he didn’t play in that match like he wanted to and lost in three straight. Then to take two and a half months off, he has a family, going on vacation and getting away. But you never know," the American tennis legend said on the Advantage Connors podcast.
Djokovic not playing much before a Grand Slam isn't anything unusual – he did it many times in the past and you know how that usually went for the Serb. However, it has been a completely different story the past two years with the rise of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Last year, Djokovic stunningly lost in the US Open third round to Alexei Popyrin, but he was tired and exhausted following his Paris Olympics win. This year, the 38-year-old Serb is at least guaranteed to enter the last Grand Slam of the year fresh.
Alcaraz to Lead Spanish Davis Cup Squad
By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, August 8, 2025
Photo credit: Angel Martinez/Getty for ITF
Reigning Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz aims to restore the roar to the Spanish Davis Cup team.
Captain David Ferrer has named Alcaraz, Washington, DC finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez to the Spanish squad that will host Denmark in the Davis Cup second round qualifier set for September 13-14th at the Puente Romano Tennis Club in Marbella, Spain.
“I am very happy with the commitment that the players have made and with the enthusiasm that the team has to be able to overcome Denmark, which we already know is going to be a tough with Holger Rune,” Ferrer said. “But we are going to face it in the best way.
“Alejandro has been very consistent, he is in the Top 20 of the race and Carlos comes from winning Roland Garros and making the finals of Wimbledon, so I am very excited that they can be with us.”
The tie will be contested on outdoor red clay in Marbella.
World No. 2 Alcaraz, who owns a 3-0 Davis Cup singles record, will make his first appearance since he defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6, 6-3 in the 2024 quarterfinals last November.
The 22-year-old Spaniard is riding a streak of 13 straight clay-court victories, capturing successive clay championships at Roland Garros and Rome. Alcaraz’s last clay-court loss came to Danish star Holger Rune 7-6(6), 6-2 in the Barcelona final in April.
Reigning Champion Sinner and Alcaraz Lead Six Kings Slam Set for October
By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Photo credit: Six Kings Slam
Tennis’ major kings return to Riyadh to chase a lucrative crown in October.
Reigning champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz and Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic lead the list of competitors for the 2025 Six Kings Slam.
The exhibition event, set for October 15-18th at the ABN Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, officially announced the six-player lineup today.
Sinner, who beat Alcaraz to collect a tennis-record $6 million champion’s check in Riyadh last fall, headlines the field that also includes American Taylor Fritz, Briton Jack Draper and Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
A year ago, Alcaraz defeated his tennis hero, Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-3 in one semifinal and Sinner stopped Djokovic 6-2, 6-7(0), 6-4 in the top-half semifinal.
In the exhibition event’s final, Sinner beat Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 to capture the most lucrative payday in tennis history.
Major update on Jannik Sinner's debut in Cincinnati
Jannik Sinner will be back in action at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 these days, where he will try to defend the title won a year ago thanks to an amazing run. The world No.1 will play his first official tournament since his extraordinary triumph at the Wimbledon Championships just under a month ago, having decided to skip the 'Canadian Open' in Toronto so as not to overload his body ahead of the US Open.
This segment of the season is very suitable for the game of the Italian ace, who will be called upon to defend 3000 points between Cincinnati and New York. If he wants to maintain the top position in the ATP rankings until the end of the year, the 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria needs to achieve brilliant results in the coming month and will have to hope that his top rival Carlos Alcaraz is not at the top of his shape.
The Italian and the Spaniard faced each other in the final at both Roland Garros and the Wimbledon Championships, which is why fans hope to be able to witness a new chapter of their spectacular rivalry already in Flushing Meadows.
New details on Sinner's debut
Meanwhile, the exact date of Jannik's debut in Ohio has finally been revealed. The four-time Grand Slam champion – who can benefit from a first-round bye – will make his debut in this tournament on Saturday, August 9 against Kopriva or a player from the qualifiers.
Sinner's potential path in Cincinnati doesn't look too tough, having avoided very dangerous rivals like Ben Shelton, Alexei Popyrin and Alexander Zverev along his run.
In his press conference, the world number 1 confessed that he is looking forward to getting back into action: "My elbow is fine and I can't wait to play my first match here. I got some rest after Wimbledon and spent the holidays together with my friends and family. Then I started practicing again and I hope to play my best tennis on hard courts, especially at the US Open."
Alcaraz and Sinner Reunite in Cincinnati
By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Photo credit: Julien DeRosa/AFP/Getty
Weeks after their Wimbledon clash, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz reunited in the Queen City.
The world’s top two shared a friendly exchange on the practice court ahead of this week’s Cincinnati Open.
Long time no see 😜@janniksin 🤝 @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/GOfoUSKhRT
— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 5, 2025
Asked what he’s been up to since that Wimbledon final, Alcaraz replied “nothing crazy.”
The reigning Roland Garros champion told Sinner he spent time with family and friends at home.
Both world No. 1 Sinner and world No. 2 Alcaraz skipped the Canadian Masters in Toronto. Both will make their debut in the 2025 North American summer hard-court season in Cincinnati as preparation for the US Open.
Sinner is defending champion in Cincinnati and at the US Open. Alcaraz trails Sinner by about 3,430 points in the rankings.
The two-time Wimbledon winner can close ground with strong performances in Cincinnati and New York. Alcaraz was upset by Gael Monfils in his 2024 Cincinnati Open opener before suffering a stunning US Open second-round loss to Botic van de Zandschulp.
Since his three-set loss to Monfils in Cincinnati last August, Alcaraz has only lost one other opening-round match. That was to David Goffin in Miami last March.
The 23-year-old Sinner has contested finals in four of the five tournaments he’s played in 2025 and carries a 26-3 record into his Cincinnati title defense.
Novak Djokovic recalls his amazing triumph at the Paris Olympics one year on
Exactly one year ago, Novak Djokovic achieved the last huge feat of his career by winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics against all odds. Everyone knows how much the Serbian legend has always loved representing his country, but he had never expressed his best tennis at the Games in previous editions, suffering some of the most painful defeats of his entire career.
The former world No. 1 had left the court in tears after being beaten by Juan Martin del Potro at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, in what Nole has always defined as one of the most atrocious disappointments he has experienced as a professional tennis player.
Almost all fans and insiders believed that Novak would have his last chance to reach this milestone in Tokyo in 2021, after the Olympics had been postponed by a year due to the pandemic.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was the top favorite in Japan, considering that he was virtually unbeatable that season having won the first three Majors of the year. Djokovic reached the semifinals in Tokyo without any effort, but his perfect mechanism jammed in the semifinals against Alexander Zverev when he was ahead by a set and a break. He suffered a shocking comeback and everyone thought that his dream had now been shattered.
Djokovic on his amazing run in Paris
The 38-year-old from Belgrade was not the top favorite in Paris last year, on a surface much more suited to the game than Carlos Alcaraz (who had won Roland Garros on those same courts a short time earlier). The former world No.1 had an exceptional run, enhanced by an impeccable performance against Carlitos in the final.
Exactly one year after that magical triumph, Djokovic expressed his feelings: “Oh my gosh, I’ve watched this video probably one million times. Not recently, now I’ve made a little break, but now you’re inspiring me to watch it again and again. It just stands out as probably the highlight of my career, considering the amount of time and years that I waited for that — or haven’t waited — I worked for it.
But the heartbreaking losses in the previous four Olympic Games that I played, unable to make that final step and reach the finals and fight for gold. It was the only big accolade that I missed, that I haven’t achieved in my career, and then coming at the age of 37, it is something very unique, unforgettable.
Djokovic Withdraws from Cincinnati
By Chris Oddo | Monday August 4, 2025
24-time major champion Novak Djokovic has pulled out of next week’s Cincinnati Open.
The three-time champion also withdrew from the event last year, and last played the event in 2023, when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in an epic final that was one of the best in tournament history.
No reason has been cited for his withdrawal, but it is thought not to be related to a serious injury and he is expected to take his place in the US Open men’s singles draw, which commences play on August 24.
The 38-year-old, ranked sixth, will be bidding for his record 25th major title in New York. He is 392-54 lifetime at the majors, and 26-9 for the season.