The 2025 Nitto ATP Finals Review

Before the 2025 ATP Finals began, we predicted in our preview that by the end of the week we would witness a Sinner-Alcaraz season finale. What better way to end the season? As the draw narrowed down, it became more and more clear that these two men were a level above the rest of the field, and that we were destined for a really high quality match to close it out. While it wasn't a five-hour marathon like the Roland Garros final, it was still packed with intensity and some exceptional shotmaking. Let's unpack exactly what went on in the Inalpi Arena on Sunday morning. 

Photo credit: © Rolex/Antoine Couvercelle.

Before the final showdown, both men had maintained an excellent 3-0 record during the round robin stage and passed their semi-final tests comfortably. Alcaraz had squared off against Felix Auger-Aliassime, who he routed 6-2, 6-4. Sinner had the harder match, taking down Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2 to secure his spot. The final was a hard one to call, as Alcaraz had done well this year against his rival, only surrendering the Wimbledon final. He came into the match having beaten the Italian on four occasions this season, including in that Roland Garros battle and the recent US Open title match. Sinner, meanwhile, had some significant advantages in his toolkit. He grew up in Northern Italy, so he was used to the fast indoor conditions. And he had the home court advantage. There was no way to predict who would walk away with the trophy. 

The first set was incredibly competitive, unsurprisingly. A few games were pushed to deuce early on, but neither player had to defend a break point while serving. This resulted in an intense game of tug-of-war that landed the two in a tiebreak. The tiebreak was close as well, until Sinner secured a crucial mini-break at 4-3. He pushed to 5-3 before Alcaraz held his own to keep it close, 5-4. On his serve, Sinner won a brutally long 17-rally point with a winner to set up set point, and closed the thing out with a perfect serve an Alcaraz return error in the following point. 

Photo credit: © Rolex/Antoine Couvercelle.

The second set started out much differently. Sinner committed some unusual errors, hitting two double faults and allowing Alcaraz to break and start the set off with a bang. Things stayed even for the Spaniard until he was up serving at 3-2, when Sinner was able to break back and set the train back on the tracks. The two pushed each other until 5-5, and it seemed as though we would get a repeat of the previous set. Not on Jannik Sinner's watch. The Italian was ready to close it out, and this was the perfect opportunity. He held for 6-5, and then stayed ultra competitive with Alcaraz in the following game. Tied at deuce, Alcaraz blundered a forehand to hand Sinner a matchpoint. The following rally lasted an excruciating 14 shots, which ended again with an unforced error on the Spaniard's part. Game, set, and match. 

Overall, the 2025 edition of the Nitto ATP Finals brought everything to a new level. With the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry in the spotlight, all the attention was on Turin and the final even broke the Italian television viewership record. It will become more and more exciting as we wait to see these two square off again. You never know what the Australian swing will hold. 

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By William Turvey. Top photo credit: © Rolex/Antoine Couvercelle.