Sinner: I'm a better player than last year after Turin triumph
Sinner: I'm a better player than last year after Turin triumph
Jannik Sinner defends his ATP Finals title in Turin, saying he’s at a higher level this year as he closes 2025 on top.
In Turin, Italy, the Inalpi Arena roared as Jannik Sinner defended his ATP Finals title by defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(4), 7-5 in a title duel that capped a dazzling season. Sinner, now World No. 2, wrapped up the year with back-to-back ATP Finals crowns and did so without dropping a set, a feat that underscored how far he’s come since 2024. The win also kept the Italian on a late-year hot streak, a sign that his consistency at the end of 2025 was more potent than any single stretch of the previous season.
After winning the season-ending championship in front of a home crowd, Sinner emphasized that comparing years wasn’t the point. Instead, he highlighted growth and an ongoing process. “Honestly, I don’t want to compare years. It’s an amazing season. Last year has been an amazing season. This year making four Grand Slam finals, coming here, winning here, having this big streak in end of the year, it’s amazing. But mostly I feel I am a better player than last year, I think this is the most important. It’s all part of the process,” he said. His words reflected a year that featured a 58-6 match record and a total of six titles.
The 24-year-old’s year wasn’t without its twists, including a three-month layoff after triumphing at the Australian Open. Yet when the calendar turned, Sinner found his form return in time for the closing stretch, lifting the trophy as the crowd chanted his name. The result extended his career tally to 24 titles and continued his rise in the world rankings, a trajectory that now positions him as one of the game’s most formidable forces heading into 2026.
Sinner’s victory solidified a unique rivalry with Alcaraz, one that dominated headlines and drew global attention as the pair traded blows across the season. While Alcaraz pushed hard, Turin’s atmosphere and Sinner’s late-season surge proved decisive. With the ATP Finals trophy back in Italian hands, Sinner’s confidence surged: he’s shown he can peak when it matters most and sustain that level through the year’s end.
Looking ahead, the Italian will carry this momentum into the off-season, with his sights set on more Grand Slam glory and continued consistency on tour. For fans in Turin and around the world, the message was clear: Sinner isn’t just defending titles; he’s elevating his game to new heights, with 2026 promising more of the same relentless pursuit of improvement.
Cover image source: Jannik Sinner Tops Carlos Alcaraz for ATP Finals Title, $5 Million Payday 🔗
