Jannik Sinner explains why it is difficult for players to defend their titles at the US Open.

Sinner emphasized that external factors such as the playing environment in New York, where players must travel an hour from the city center to Flushing Meadows, also have a considerable impact. "If you don’t manage these small details well, it’s very hard to perform your best tennis," he said. "The future is always unpredictable. I don’t know what will happen this time, but clearly, this is a very tough tournament." According to Sinner, these factors demand maximum focus and exceptional adaptability to maintain high-level performance.

Sinner entered the 2025 US Open after withdrawing from the Cincinnati final due to a virus, meaning he was not at full fitness. However, he remains optimistic about his recovery process: "I have mostly recovered, not completely yet, but we are aiming to be ready in the next few days. Everything will be fine for the tournament." Sinner’s confidence is bolstered by his remarkable achievements this year, including winning the 2025 Wimbledon title against Carlos Alcaraz, his biggest current rival.

The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz extends beyond the US Open title to the world No. 1 spot on the PIF ATP rankings. Sinner currently leads, but he faces the pressure of defending 2000 points from last year’s title, whereas Alcaraz only needs to defend 50 points. To maintain his top ranking, Sinner must advance at least one round further than Alcaraz. "Having these competitions is wonderful," Sinner commented on his on-court relationship with Alcaraz, who leads their head-to-head 9-5. "It’s good for the sport and personally, because sometimes when you’re tired in training, you try to simulate situations that might happen in a real match."

Sinner and Alcaraz have dominated seven recent Grand Slam titles, forming a new "Big 2" in men’s tennis. However, Sinner warns that this dominance is not guaranteed. "If we don’t keep improving, other players will catch up," he said. "I’m trying to identify areas in my game that need improvement. That’s positive because it helps me become a better player."

Despite being at the peak of his career, Sinner remains humble. He recalls his younger days when breaking into the Top 100 seemed like a distant dream. "Now things are different. I understand my potential and know that if I play well, I can win tournaments," he shared. With thorough preparation and strong determination, Sinner is on the brink of making history as the first male player since Federer to successfully defend the US Open title. Nonetheless, challenges from the schedule, environment, and fierce competition—especially from Alcaraz—will test the talent and resilience of the 24-year-old player.