The 22-year old becomes the youngest champion in Cincinnati after Andy Murray in 2008.
Carlos Alcaraz captured the Cincinnati Masters 2025 title after his fiercest rival, Jannik Sinner, was forced to retire midway through the final due to injury. The Spaniard was in commanding form, leading 5-0 in the opening set when the world No. 1 Sinner was unable to continue.
This showdown marked the third ATP final of the year between Alcaraz and Sinner, following their memorable battles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon 2025. Their rivalry, often described as the successor to the Nadal–Federer era, has rapidly become the most captivating storyline in men’s tennis.
Speaking during the trophy ceremony, Alcaraz admitted the circumstances of victory were bittersweet, according to Tennis.com:
“This is not the way I want to win matches or trophies,” Alcaraz said. “I just want to say sorry. I can understand how you feel right now. You’re truly a champion, and I’m sure you’ll come back better and stronger — you always do.”
For Sinner, who has enjoyed a dominant season and entered Cincinnati as the top-ranked player on the ATP Tour, the retirement was a frustrating blow.
“Since yesterday, I didn’t feel great. I thought I would improve during the night, but it became worse,” Sinner told the crowd. “I tried to come out and at least make it a match, but I couldn’t handle more. I know some of you maybe had work on Monday or made plans to be here, so I’m really, really sorry.”
With the victory, Alcaraz now leads the head-to-head series 9–5 against Sinner. Their rivalry has become one of the defining narratives of the ATP Tour, consistently drawing global attention and sparking debate among fans over who will dominate the post-Big Three era.
The 2025 Roland Garros final between the two was hailed as one of the most thrilling matches in recent tennis history, while their Wimbledon clash again reinforced their status as the sport’s new standard-bearers.
As the US Open 2025 looms, the Alcaraz–Sinner rivalry promises to be the biggest storyline in New York, with both players expected to battle for the year’s final Grand Slam crown.