‘Predictable’ Jannik Sinner ready to ‘lose matches’ in order to bridge gap to Carlos Alcaraz after US Open final loss
Published 08/09/2025 at 19:56 GMT+1
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Jannik Sinner has pinpointed changes he wants to make to his game after losing in four sets to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final at Flushing Meadows. It was expected to be another epic between the two best players in the world, but Alcaraz proved far too strong for his rival as he claimed his sixth Grand Slam title in style. It meant, for the second year in a row, the pair swept all four majors.
Sinner says he was 'very predictable' against Alcaraz as he eyes 'changes' to his game
Video credit: SNTV
After reaching all four Grand Slam finals in 2025 and winning two of them, it seems odd to think Jannik Sinner might need to adjust his game if he wants to continue to enjoy the same kind of success going forward.
But after the way in which he was dispatched by Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final, that is the reality facing the Italian.
Billed as another blockbuster meeting between the two standout stars of the men’s game, the showpiece event at Flushing Meadows did not quite hit the heights expected.
It had the hallmarks of a thriller when Sinner claimed the second set to level the match, but it was one-way traffic from there as Alcaraz dominated behind a monstrous first serve.
It was the third consecutive Grand Slam final between the pair. Their French Open clash was an instant classic. At Wimbledon, each set was decided by a single break, meaning it stood on a constant knife edge. But in New York, Alcaraz looked like he had his opponent’s number from the first game.
After losing his grip of the title at the All England Club to his great rival, Alcaraz immediately sought to make improvements to ensure he would be better prepared to topple the 6’3" Italian the next time they met.
Now it is Sinner’s turn.
"I was very predictable," Sinner said. "On court he did many things, he changed up the game. That's also his style of how he plays. Now it's going to be on me if I want to make changes or not.
"Definitely we are going to work on that. I'm trying to be more prepared for the next match that I will play against him."
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Best bits: Alcaraz wows New York to beat Sinner and claim second US Open title
Video credit: TNT Sports
It is easy to see why Sinner has not felt the need to go out of his way to add more feathers to his ca. He and Alcaraz are well clear at the top of the world rankings, and deservedly so.
His game is built on a brutal mixture of power and precision from the baseline, which makes him almost impossible to beat for the rest of the players on tour unless he has a rare off day.
But it is perhaps this dominant component of his game that has lost him the edge in his rivalry against Alcaraz, who, at just 22, can hit all the shots and seemingly execute at will.
"Matches before are comfortable but you always do the same things, like I did, for example, during this tournament," Sinner continued. "You know, I didn't make one serve-volley, didn't use a lot of drop shots, and then you arrive to a point where you play against Carlos where you have to go out of the comfort zone."
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At just 24, time is on Sinner’s side, and the four-time Grand Slam champion is willing to endure some pain in the pursuit of progress.
He added: "I'm going to aim to, you know, maybe even losing some matches from now on, but trying to do some changes, trying to be a bit more unpredictable as a player, because I think that's what I have to do [in] trying to become a better tennis player.
"At the end of the day, that's my main goal."
Can Sinner replicate Alcaraz?
Alcaraz began the 2025 season with a modified service action in his bid to improve what he and his team felt was an underperforming area of his game.
He has had to work at it throughout the year and remain committed even during times when it let him down. But he reaped the rewards at Flushing Meadows.
The new world No. 1 was broken only three times on his charge to the title. In the final itself, he won 83% of points behind his first serve, hitting 10 aces and no double faults.
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Alcaraz says completing career Grand Slam is 'first goal' as he looks ahead to Melbourne
Video credit: SNTV
In contrast, Sinner managed just two aces while he made four doubles. Such numbers, especially against a player like Alcaraz, make it tough to come out on top.
It is little wonder, then, that this is one of the areas the Italian has pinpointed for some extra attention, saying: "For sure, serve was not on point. I felt I was struggling a lot, but it was already struggling during the tournament.
"Sometimes adding just something, and I think that's going to make a difference from my personal point of view that I can say that I'm going to become a better tennis player.
"I'm going to change a couple of things on the serve, just small things, but they can make big differences. Then we see how it goes.
"I'm looking forward to play again these matches. Something new is now I'm not No. 1 anymore, so it also changes a little bit that you chase. It’s different."
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