Jannik Sinner told he took a ‘crazy risk’ against Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals which paid off

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Jannik Sinner closed out the season with a statement victory over his great rival, Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner defeated Alcaraz in straight sets at the ATP Finals to hoist the year-end title for the second consecutive time, while also raking in an additional $5,071,000 in prize money.

The Italian has suffered four defeats to the Spaniard across 2025, beating him only in their Wimbledon final clash in the summer.

Their rivalry was in danger of becoming slightly one-sided, but Sinner triumphed over the world number one 7-6, 7-5 in Turin to improve his score in the head-to-head.

During the match, Serena Williams‘ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, said the champion took a ‘crazy risk’ which ultimately paid off.

Patrick Mouratoglou analyses Jannik Sinner’s ATP Finals risk

In a post on Instagram, Mouratoglou said: “As an example of the ability of Jannik to take responsibility and risks on second serves, he had a set point against him in the final [of the ATP Finals].

“It was 6-5 to Alcaraz, break point and set point, and a second serve for Sinner. He serves a second serve at 187 kilometres per hour just in the corner, taking a crazy risk.

“He saves it, and he ends up winning the set and then the match. And after the match, he said, okay, I had three options, and I took the riskiest one, but if I had to lose it, I had to lose it on my terms.

“So that says a lot about his mental mindset coming up to that final. I always say it, you win those matches and those finals with your mindset, with your head, taking the responsibility.

“I think it’s a great example. We know Carlos is doing it all the time. You know, he’s not the guy who will hope for the mistake of the opponent. When it’s important, he takes his responsibility.

“Jannik learned a few things after the US Open, and I think he brought his mental game to another level and service game to another level.”

The last time Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz twice in a row

Though Sinner has managed to beat Alcaraz twice this year, he suffered a five match losing streak to the 22-year-old prior to his Wimbledon victory.

Alcaraz was unbeaten against Sinner for the entirety of 2024 and the first half of 2025, overcoming him at Indian Wells, Roland Garros twice, Beijing, and Rome.

The last time Sinner won consecutive matches against Alcaraz was in 2023, when he claimed back-to-back wins in Miami and Beijing.

He also beat Alcaraz twice in a row in 2022, besting him at Wimbledon and in Umag, where he took the lead in the head-to-head for the first time.