Sinner, Alcaraz Meet in U.S. Open Final With No. 1 Ranking and History on the Line

No. 1 Jannik Sinner will face No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the U.S. Open men’s final on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the top ranking on the line and President Donald Trump expected to be in attendance.

Sinner, 24, is attempting to become the first man to repeat as U.S. Open champion since Roger Federer’s five straight titles from 2004-08 and is chasing a third Grand Slam of the season following wins at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz, 22, is seeking a sixth major and his second of 2025 after winning the French Open in June; he also won the U.S. Open as a teenager in 2022.

The matchup continues a fierce rivalry that has shaped men’s tennis this season. Sunday’s meeting marks the first time in the sport’s history that the same two men have met in three consecutive Grand Slam finals in a single season. Alcaraz defeated Sinner at the French Open in June after saving three match points on clay, while Sinner prevailed at Wimbledon in July on grass. Their earlier encounter at the 2022 U.S. Open ended with Alcaraz advancing from the quarterfinals.

The outcome will also decide the No. 1 ranking Monday. Sinner has been dominant at majors since last year’s U.S. Open, winning 33 of 34 matches at the four biggest events; his lone loss in that span came against Alcaraz at Roland-Garros. Over the last two seasons, Sinner is 1-6 against Alcaraz and 109-4 against other opponents, underscoring both his consistency at the biggest tournaments and the particular challenge Alcaraz poses.

Alcaraz has been prolific elsewhere on tour, compiling 36 wins in 37 matches since May. He leads the ATP in victories (60) and titles (six) for 2025 and has advanced to the finals in his past eight tournaments, demonstrating a level of form that has extended well beyond the Grand Slams.

Whichever player wins, the match will continue a stretch of dominance by the pair: the champion will claim the eighth consecutive major and the 10th of the last 13 to be won by either Sinner or Alcaraz. Sunday will be Sinner’s fifth straight major final, a run that began with his U.S. Open title a year ago.

The stakes, history and head-to-head storyline have heightened attention for a final that already featured an intense calendar of decisive meetings on three different surfaces this season. Ticket demand and viewership are expected to be elevated by both the rivalry and the notable public figures planning to attend.

Play on Sunday will determine not only the trophy at hard-court Flushing Meadows but also which player walks away as the world No. 1 and the next entry in a developing — and consequential — chapter of men’s tennis.