'I was brilliant, I played perfectly': Alcaraz honestly rates his own US Open performance
NewsMonday, 08 September 2025 at 22:56
Carlos Alcaraz did not attempt to hide how good he thought his 2025 US Open final performance against Jannik Sinner was when speaking to the media afterward.
Alcaraz secured a sixth Grand Slam title by defeating his great rival Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. It was the most one-sided of their three major finals this year after Alcaraz's remarkable comeback in the French Open final and Sinner's 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 triumph at Wimbledon.
The pair have utterly dominated men's tennis since the start of 2024, splitting the eight Grand Slams played during that period equally. Their rivals need to make significant improvements to challenge them.
Sinner's superb performances in the last two years mean Alcaraz knows he always needs to bring his best tennis against him. He undoubtedly achieved that in the US Open with a display some feel was a contender for the best of his career.
Alcaraz was utterly thrilled with his performance. Speaking on-court to Sky Sports' Laura Robson, the new ATP world No. 1 said he played brilliantly and perfectly from the start after being asked what he executed to avoid a tight match with Sinner.
"I think I maintained the level from the first game until the last one. I maintained my best level tactically, I tried to be perfect. Against Jannik, it's all about being good tactically, physically as well, because it's really demanding, you have to be perfect against him."
"Today, I was brilliant, to be honest. In the second set, there were a few mistakes, but in general, I was brilliant. If I want to beat Jannik in the biggest stage, I have to be brilliant. I'm really happy I did it."
Alcaraz's long-term coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 US Open runner-up, spoke in a press conference after the final. He called his player's performance perfect, and revealed they had worked on specific tactical areas for the matchup.
"We prepared the match very good, watching some matches and seeing the specific details that we needed to play, and Carlos did it 100%. It's easy to say and very difficult to do it. The performance was perfect, I would say the match was perfect for Carlos, and the performance was unbelievable."
When asked about his coach and mentor's words, Alcaraz had the reporters, who gave him an award during the tournament's opening week because of how accommodating he is to the press, in stitches by agreeing with his verdict.
"He's right, I think I played perfect, I played perfectly, I got to say that. If I want to win the US Open, if I want to beat Jannik, I think I need to play perfect. I think he was right."
It is refreshing to witness a top player not being falsely modest. Alcaraz and Sinner are terrific role models who conduct themselves superbly on the court, but there is nothing wrong with the Spaniard admitting he performed excellently.
The six-time Grand Slam winner has earned a break after his efforts in New York. He withdrew from Team Spain's Davis Cup tie against Denmark later this week and will next appear at the 2025 Laver Cup.
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