Alcaraz Crowned US Open Champion, Reclaims No. 1 Ranking and $5 Million Prize
Carlos Alcaraz triumphed over Jannik Sinner in a thrilling four-set final at the US Open on Sunday, claiming his second title at Flushing Meadows and sixth Grand Slam overall. The match, which ended 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, was overshadowed by the presence of former President Donald Trump, whose attendance drew mixed reactions from the crowd.
Alcaraz’s victory not only avenged his earlier defeat to Sinner at Wimbledon but also allowed him to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking, ending Sinner’s impressive 27-match winning streak at hard-court Grand Slams. “I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more,” said Sinner, reflecting on the match that extends the men’s title defense drought at the US Open, with no player successfully defending the title since Roger Federer’s five consecutive wins from 2004 to 2008.
The match’s start was delayed by 30 minutes due to increased security measures for Trump’s appearance, which did not go unnoticed as spectators filtered into Arthur Ashe Stadium. As the game progressed, Alcaraz showcased his skill, breaking Sinner’s serve early and dominating much of the match. Despite a brief resurgence from Sinner in the second set, Alcaraz quickly regained control, displaying powerful baseline play and strategic shot placements.
In addition to the prestigious title, Alcaraz walked away with a record $5 million prize, contributing to a total prize pool of $90 million for the tournament. Sinner earned $2.5 million for his runner-up finish. Alcaraz’s career earnings now position him as one of the highest-paid athletes in tennis, with endorsements boosting his income significantly.
Meanwhile, in the women’s final held the previous day, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her title against American Amanda Anisimova, winning 6-3, 7-6 (3) in front of a sellout crowd. Sabalenka’s victory also came with a $5 million prize, pushing her total earnings for the year to $12.1 million, just shy of the single-season record held by Serena Williams.
