2025 US Open Final: Alcaraz vs. Sinner

[Kieran]

yeah, I don't know what it is. We said the same last year when he played Laver Cup and those post season exho's

Hey, I even say it about the Olympics. I know the players like it but it fecked up his USO last year, far as I’m concerned. Fecked up Rafa in 2008. I’d rather they’d have that great tennis title than the Olympics gold, which is a trinket, by comparison…

 

[kskate2]

Hey, I even say it about the Olympics. I know the players like it but it fecked up his USO last year, far as I’m concerned. Fecked up Rafa in 2008. I’d rather they’d have that great tennis title than the Olympics gold, which is a trinket, by comparison…

I get it. They really love playing for their country. It only comes around every 4 years and it goes in the history books too. The USO is every year and they're young. They always think they'll have more time or other opportunities to go deep in it

 

[Vince Evert]

Sinner's Presser -

 

[Vince Evert]

The Champion's Presser -



Look at that, his hair is growing back quick. Wish mine would

 

[Jelenafan]

Yeah Carlos is now going to reach the stage where there’ll begin to be more pressure and focus on him, more than there already is. If he reaches the Australian Open final in January, and he doesn’t win it, some talk will switch to what he hasn’t been able to do, questions will start about what his limitations are, but even before the match the chatter about what he might be about to achieve will be huge.

I think for those of us who root for him, our expectations are huge and we’re shocked when he doesn’t live up to them. I know I am, I couldn’t believe he lost the Wimbledon final. But so far his biggest opponent is probably himself, and when I heard he’s playing some stupid exo tournament in December I immediately thought of Rafa and that idiot Indian thing in December 2013.

More pressure?

See, I think there was huge pressure from the get go once Carlos won his first Slam and became the youngest YE # 1 player at 19 years old.

The last couple of years it’s almost as if he was still trying to figure out how to deal with his status/expectations.

In hindsight, maybe Sinner has been a blessing in that Jannik’s baseline is so high that Alcaraz had to come to grips that despite all the accolades/acclaim he actually needed to improve his mental focus AND up the ante in his game. I’m really curious as to the Alcaraz/Sinner rivalry when the Channel Double (French & Wimbledon) occurs next year.

 

[Kieran]

More pressure?

See, I think there was huge pressure from the get go once Carlos won his first Slam and became the youngest YE # 1 player at 19 years old.

The last couple of years it’s almost as if he was still trying to figure out how to deal with his status/expectations.

In hindsight, maybe Sinner has been a blessing in that Jannik’s baseline is so high that Alcaraz had to come to grips that despite all the accolades/acclaim he actually needed to improve his mental focus AND up the ante in his game. I’m really curious as to the Alcaraz/Sinner rivalry when the Channel Double (French & Wimbledon) occurs next year.

There was always pressure, but he’ll face negative scrutiny once people start to feel his perceived limitations make him a lesser player than everyone thought. The focus will change from the super-positive, which it is now, to something downgraded. He’s got a lot of love now but there can be a backlash, no matter how soft. Soon as he’s the default, any shortcomings will attract contrarians and negativity.

I hope he wins the WTF and Australia to bury those achievements early..

 

[Federberg]

Replay going on ESPN! I barely surfed by when LIVE! They must have been serving well for 3 sets to be completed in < 2 hrs.! That's amazing these days at this level! Sinner was playing well enuf, but Alcaraz was "the human highlte" reel making great "gets" & changing defense into offense! Jannik was just over-matched today, Carlos having him "talking to himself!"

just shows that these two guys don't waste time. Credit to both of them!

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

I'm just glad that Carlos won. Jannik winning would have made 2025 the weakest year of competition in tennis history.

 

[atttomole]

I'm just glad that Carlos won. Jannik winning would have made 2025 the weakest year of competition in tennis history.

How so?

 

[Vince Evert]

50 Parting Thoughts From the 2025 U.S. Open

Aryna Sabalenka defended her title in commanding fashion, while Carlos Alcaraz toppled Jannik Sinner with President Trump in attendance.

www.si.com

 

[Vince Evert]

good one on point #47 by Jon:

47. The mechanics of the Wimbledon ticketing system makes for one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries—intentionally so, I always surmised. There are all sorts of byzantine rules and nebulous terms like “debentures” and Downton Abbey-style references to enclaves like a “members’ enclosure.” But this we know: There are easily 10,000 people a day who walk through the gates having paid $40 to attend a bucket list event. Yes, some of these folks camped out in a field for the privilege. Still, the existence of the populist “queue” and the generous allotment of grounds passes instantly chills any accusations of greed or elitism. The USTA needs to do something similar. Let the market do its thing and (over)charge $400 for grounds passes if you must. But figure out a way NOT to price out the common fan. You can plaster the grounds with pictures of kids, and invite HBCU marching bands and talk about “inclusivity” all you like; but when you need home refinancing to pay for tickets and parking, and serve $100 six-piece chicken nuggets with caviar, you are, ultimately, sending the opposite message. Instead of responding what can ya do about it, regarding complaints about aggregators and online brokering, publicize a block of affordable tickets. I cannot tell you how many times I heard from people, “I wanted to go, but the prices are out of control this year.” (It’s made worse by the optics—unlike at Wimbledon—of thousands of choice seats going unoccupied because the canape set decided to stay in the Hamptons that day.) The USTA does so much right, more than they are conferred sufficient credit, but the ticketing policy needs an overhaul. There is a way to soak the rich, max out revenue, and also keep the event accessible to the fans. (Thereby helping your tax-exempt status as well.)

 

[Vince Evert]

25 minute ESPN video on the men's final for you...and me to enjoy !!!

 

[Moxie]

good one on point #47 by Jon:

47. The mechanics of the Wimbledon ticketing system makes for one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries—intentionally so, I always surmised. There are all sorts of byzantine rules and nebulous terms like “debentures” and Downton Abbey-style references to enclaves like a “members’ enclosure.” But this we know: There are easily 10,000 people a day who walk through the gates having paid $40 to attend a bucket list event. Yes, some of these folks camped out in a field for the privilege. Still, the existence of the populist “queue” and the generous allotment of grounds passes instantly chills any accusations of greed or elitism. The USTA needs to do something similar. Let the market do its thing and (over)charge $400 for grounds passes if you must. But figure out a way NOT to price out the common fan. You can plaster the grounds with pictures of kids, and invite HBCU marching bands and talk about “inclusivity” all you like; but when you need home refinancing to pay for tickets and parking, and serve $100 six-piece chicken nuggets with caviar, you are, ultimately, sending the opposite message. Instead of responding what can ya do about it, regarding complaints about aggregators and online brokering, publicize a block of affordable tickets. I cannot tell you how many times I heard from people, “I wanted to go, but the prices are out of control this year.” (It’s made worse by the optics—unlike at Wimbledon—of thousands of choice seats going unoccupied because the canape set decided to stay in the Hamptons that day.) The USTA does so much right, more than they are conferred sufficient credit, but the ticketing policy needs an overhaul. There is a way to soak the rich, max out revenue, and also keep the event accessible to the fans. (Thereby helping your tax-exempt status as well.)

Thanks for posting Wertheim's list above, which I read last night, and particularly for pulling this one out to highlight. We talked about this here, and JW just said it better, and publicly for the USTA to read. It's a SCANDAL how expensive the US Open has gotten. He's right to make the comparison with Wimbledon, which still finds a way to get regular folks, i.e., the ones who really care about tennis, into the event at a price they can afford. The US Open is increasingly becoming an opportunity for rich folks to see and be seen, and celebs to get on TV. I said this before...go ahead and gouge the rich folks, and the luxury brand sponsors, but make some accommodation for regular fans. And the free week during quallies is not enough. Go back to cheaper grounds passes, for one. I told you all that a friend paid $180 for a grounds pass in the first week. And you know how much a glass of champagne cost? $30!!

 

[Vince Evert]

Carlos - It's Showtime !!!

This well made compilation includes Carlos extraordinary behind his back half-volley winner at 6:45 video point.

Must go down as a once-in-a-lifetime winner

 

[Vince Evert]

Methinks Carlos is going to improve even more with his game, particularly in the volleying department, where it could usher in a new generation of offensive baseliners who can volley in two years from now.

When this happens, we could see a return of attacking strategies and variety.

Bring it on

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vince,

The prices at the AO are no way as expensive as RG,Wimbledon or tthe USA
I realize the RLA is smaller than the rest of the main courts, though you always gets a good view of the players even sitting in the top tiers of RLA
U

 

[Vince Evert]

Thanks for posting Wertheim's list above, which I read last night, and particularly for pulling this one out to highlight. We talked about this here, and JW just said it better, and publicly for the USTA to read. It's a SCANDAL how expensive the US Open has gotten. He's right to make the comparison with Wimbledon, which still finds a way to get regular folks, i.e., the ones who really care about tennis, into the event at a price they can afford. The US Open is increasingly becoming an opportunity for rich folks to see and be seen, and celebs to get on TV. I said this before...go ahead and gouge the rich folks, and the luxury brand sponsors, but make some accommodation for regular fans. And the free week during quallies is not enough. Go back to cheaper grounds passes, for one. I told you all that a friend paid $180 for a grounds pass in the first week. And you know how much a glass of champagne cost? $30!!

Why serve alcohol at all ? Isn't that what leads to fury, disruptions to matches, like what we seen happened in Medvedev's opening round?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Methinks Carlos is going to improve even more with his game, particularly in the volleying department, where he could usher in a new generation of offensive baseliners who can volley in two years from now.

When this happens, we could see a return of attacking strategies and variety.

Bring it on

Carlos did do a training block focusing on what he had to do to defeat Sinner in the up coming USO, after his defeat by Jannik at Wimbledon this year where Jannik out played Carlos, took control of the mid court and also with his pin point accuracy pushed Carlos off the baseline
Carlos did his homework well defeating Jannik at the USO
Jannik will look what is needed in his game to improve no doubt. Their rivalry for the last 15 matches they have played are tight point wise, regardless of the 10-5 H2H that Carlos has over Jannik

 

[Vince Evert]

yes the two guys have magnificent variety to their game and movement about the court...but... most importantly what develops between the ears is fascinating to watch in the context of a match (ie the point where they realize they need to change a strategy)

Too many others are fine athletes and shotmakers in the game but lack what's between the ears, no names but you know them as well as i do.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jannik Sinner finishes the US Open leading the ATP Stats Leader Boards ( last 52 weeks - factoring in % shot quality)
Sinner is N o 1 in Return games won
Sinner is No 1 in Points Under Pressure
No 2 in Serve Leader ( his 1st serve % notably dropped during the USO), Perricard as the No 1 Serve Leader
I