Sweeping up $6 million in prize money, but Sinner says there is still one impossible task this year.

After weeks of hype, the Six Kings tournament finally saw its true protagonist—Sinner. On Riyadh’s brilliantly lit court, this Italian player decisively crushed all skepticism, beating Alcaraz to win the championship and pocket $6 million. This victory added a brilliant chapter to Sinner’s outstanding 2025 season—he not only captured three ATP Tour titles but also secured two Grand Slam championships (Australian Open and Wimbledon).

However, despite such dazzling achievements, when the topic shifted to the race for world number one, Sinner humbly raised his hands—not in celebration, but in restraint. According to live rankings, Alcaraz leads with 11,340 points, while Sinner follows closely with 10,000. ATP official stats show Alcaraz holds a 10-5 lead in their head-to-head record. This year, the Spaniard has already beaten Sinner four times, and this Six Kings victory marks only Sinner’s second win over Alcaraz in 2025.

Before the match, Sinner spoke about his admiration for Alcaraz and Djokovic, emphasizing the importance of having stronger opponents and healthy competition. This year, the two have clashed multiple times at a high level. Last year, Sinner defeated Alcaraz in three sets in the inaugural Six Kings Grand Slam final, and this year he defended his title almost effortlessly with a 6-2, 6-4 win.

In a post-match Netflix interview, when asked if he is still chasing the world number one spot, Sinner said, “The year-end phase is very important to me. The ATP Finals are held in Italy, which energizes me in front of the home crowd.” Last year, he won the ATP Finals by beating Fritz 6-4, 6-4. Can he defend his title this year? However, when discussing catching up to Alcaraz, he admitted, “This year, it’s impossible.”

This statement carries great weight. Although Sinner’s results are impressive, he clearly understands that challenging Alcaraz’s top ranking is no easy feat. Alcaraz’s dominance early in the season and consistent performance across surfaces have firmly established him at the ATP summit. Currently, for Sinner to finish as world number one for the second consecutive year, he must win Vienna, the Paris Masters, and the ATP Finals, while Alcaraz would need to exit early in Paris and the Finals.

Unlike some rivalries marked by hostility or tension, Sinner’s respect for Alcaraz is evident. Their encounters always feature intense exchanges and psychological battles, serving as the ultimate test of their resilience and adaptability. Even though this match was shorter, fans still witnessed brilliant moments from these two young talents.

After the match, Sinner said, “I really wish I could perform like this everywhere. We’ve faced each other many times this year, and I’ve lost quite a few. Competing against Carlos is a huge honor. As players, constant improvement is necessary, and competition is key to growth. So having such a healthy rivalry, and more importantly, a deep friendship off the court, makes our bond very special.”

In defeating his old rival Alcaraz and earning the highest prize money in tennis history, Sinner delivered an almost flawless performance. When asked about the difference between this Riyadh final and his previous loss in New York, he said, “Although this wasn’t a Grand Slam final, we put in tremendous effort. Today, I played very well, serving steadily on crucial points and returning effectively. Many areas have improved—it’s all part of the process.” He also revealed that after the US Open, he and his team carefully reviewed and planned his training.

Sinner believes the biggest difference in this match came from his mindset. He was confident in his superior performance today and hopes to maintain this form. Tennis veteran Tim Henman praised Sinner’s display as “a perfect match.” Henman added, “His serve was like a masterclass. He delivered shots with incredible speed, power, and precision, leaving Alcaraz almost helpless.”

Statistics show that 60% of Sinner’s serves were not returned by Alcaraz. This clearly indicates that the Spaniard underperformed. After the match, Alcaraz admitted, “I tried my best to compete. The first set was very disappointing, but then I told myself to keep fighting and stay persistent—that’s the best strategy. I aimed to improve my game, but I made some mistakes, and my shots posed almost no threat to him.” He added that although his serving improved somewhat in the latter stages, it was still insufficient. Therefore, this loss serves as valuable feedback for him.

Will Alcaraz make a strong comeback at the end of the season? Or will we witness another extraordinary performance from Sinner? The 2025 tennis story is clearly far from over.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)