Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been part of some classic meetings throughout the 2025 season.
Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated the ATP Tour this year, which includes meeting in the last three Grand Slam finals.
The most recent of those came in New York, where Alcaraz beat Sinner to win the US Open and reclaim his status as world number one.
Alcaraz has won seven of his last eight matches against Sinner, and he has now revealed that he knows exactly what to expect from his rival when they next play.
Carlos Alcaraz is prepared for Jannik Sinner to make tactical changes next time they play
It almost seems an expectation that the top two players on the ATP Tour will meet in finals now, with Roger Federer even suggesting tournaments are favouring Alcaraz and Sinner.
Alcaraz will not be able to play his rival in his current tournament in Tokyo, as Sinner is playing in Beijing for the China Open instead.
Sinner made errors against Alcaraz in the US Open final, and was given advice as to what he should do to prepare for the next time they meet.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was very honest in his own reflections on the match, with Sinner suggesting he had become too predictable.
Sinner has been trialling some new things in practice, and Alcaraz believes that the Italian will have very different tactics the next time they play, referencing what he did after losing the Wimbledon final.
“I’m convinced he’s [Sinner] going to change things tactically in our next match,” Alcaraz told press in Tokyo. “I did it; I tried to be a better tennis player when I lost to him at Wimbledon, and I’m sure he’ll do the same. I have to be very focused and ready to respond to his new approaches.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s potential route to the Japan Open title
Alcaraz will not need to worry about playing Sinner until the Shanghai Masters, where Novak Djokovic has also confirmed his attendance.
For now, the Spaniard will focus on his debut at the Japan Open, which has seen many iconic champions over the years including Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras.
Alcaraz’s first match at the Japan Open will be against Argentinian Sebastian Baez, who he has beaten in their two previous meetings.
| Japan Open 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz’s Potential Opponent |
| First Round | Sebastian Baez |
| Second Round | Alejandro Tabilo/Sebastian Baez |
| Quarterfinals | Frances Tiafoe (8)/Brandon Nakashima/Jordan Thompson/Marton Fucsovics |
| Semifinals | Casper Ruud (4)/Matteo Berrettini/Daniel Altmaier/Damir Dzumhur |
| Final | Taylor Fritz (2)/Holger Rune (3)/Tomas Machac (5)/Ugo Humbert (6) |
Some of the other threats in Alcaraz’s half include Casper Ruud, Frances Tiafoe and Matteo Berrettini, who won his first match in four months at the Japan Open.
There is also the possibility of a final match against Taylor Fritz, who just beat Alcaraz at the Laver Cup and is a former champion in Tokyo.
Alcaraz will begin his campaign at the Japan Open against Baez on Thursday, September 25, as he looks to win his eighth title this year.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
