The 2025 US Open marked a turning point in Jannik Sinner's season. The Italian, who arrived as world number one and reigning champion, faced an inspired Carlos Alcaraz in the New York final. The 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 defeat not only cost him the title, but also the ATP ranking throne he had held for 65 consecutive weeks. This brought to a close a historic cycle: he was the first Italian to reach the top spot, and he did so with a consistency that few players have achieved in their first reign.
Sinner's 2025 performance isn't just measured by that fall. He opened the season by successfully defending his Australian Open title, played in the longest-ever Roland Garros final against Alcaraz, and became the first man from his country to win Wimbledon. Three major achievements in a single year that cement him as one of the most consistent and charismatic players on tour.
The season was also marked by a difficult chapter off the pitch. In February, he accepted a three-month suspension after traces of clostebol, a banned substance, were detected in his system. Investigations concluded that it was an involuntary exposure and that it did not give him a competitive advantage. That period of inactivity, which ran from February 9 to May 4, served to reset his mind. Upon his return, far from sinking, he reached finals in Rome and Paris and lifted the trophy on the London turf, proving that the break had not halted his rise.
Financially, Sinner has established himself as one of the sport's biggest stars. In 2025, he earned over $11 million in prize money and has multiplied that figure with sponsorships from global brands such as Nike, Head, Rolex, Gucci, Lavazza, and De Cecco. His image transcends the court: he combines elite tennis with fashion and lifestyle collaborations, making him one of the most influential athletes of his generation.
Compared to legends like Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic, Sinner's first reign at number one is still short, but his 65 consecutive weeks at the top already place him among the greats. Although he lost the throne in New York, freeing himself from the pressure of defending it may be the key to continued growth. At just 24 years old, his tennis career is far from over, and 2025 will go down as the year in which, despite the difficulties, he proved he's built to last.
In the press conference after the US Open final, Sinner acknowledged, "I need to be less predictable." And the thought invites us to imagine: what would happen if he really managed to add that unpredictability to his game? With 20 ATP titles and 65 weeks at number one on his first attempt, the future promises much more.