Carlos Alcaraz on winning 'beautiful fight' with Jannik Sinner to secure No. 1 spot - 'I'll do whatever it takes to be surrounded by legends'
By Will Conroy
Published 15/11/2025 at 11:29 GMT
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Carlos Alcaraz has said it "means a lot" to end the year as World No. 1, after his victory over Lorenzo Musetti ensured he will finish above rival Jannik Sinner. The Spaniard has won eight titles this season, and his perfect group stage at the ATP Finals has cemented his place at the top of the rankings. Sinner said Alcaraz "deserved" top spot, but will use it as "extra motivation" next season.
'I only see legends' - Alcaraz on joining illustrious year-end world No. 1 list
Video credit: SNTV
Carlos Alcaraz said it was a "beautiful fight" with Jannik Sinner for the year-end world No. 1 ranking after securing the honour with victory over Lorenzo Musetti.
The Spaniard held a narrow lead at the top of the rankings coming into this week’s ATP Finals, and knew he would stay there with victory in all three group games or by reaching the final.
Having qualified for the semi-finals with a game to spare, Alcaraz's straight-sets win over Musetti on Friday sealed the year-end No. 1 spot as he topped the Jimmy Connors Group with a perfect record, while also registering 70 wins in a season for the first time.
Speaking to ATP afterwards, the 22-year-old said: "I think the fight I had against Jannik at the end of the season for the number one has been a really beautiful fight for both of us and for the people as well.
"I'm just really proud that I was focused and could win the match that I needed."
On joining the illustrious list of players to have achieved the feat, he added: "I only see legends there. Being on the trophy next to those names is great.
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The moment Alcaraz clinched year-end No. 1 spot with victory over Musetti
Video credit: SNTV
"Putting my name and the name of my family in the same circle as the legends from our sport. For me, it's a privilege, it's an honour, and I'll do whatever it takes to be surrounded by legends.
"That I didn't start the year well, with very, very bad moments and being able to come back strong, come back with joy and be able to play incredible tennis, winning many titles and giving myself the opportunity to finish as number one.
"It means a lot."
Alcaraz and Sinner are a long way clear at the top of the rankings, having dominated the sport for the last two seasons, splitting the previous eight Grand Slam tournaments between them.
Along with his French Open and US Open titles, Alcaraz has claimed victory in a further six tournaments this season.
He will be hoping for a ninth triumph of the campaign this weekend as he looks to land a first ATP Finals title and take the crown from his Italian rival.
He faces Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday night for a spot in the final in Turin.
Sinner will use No. 2 ranking as 'extra motivation'
Jannik Sinner said Carlos Alcaraz "deserves" the year-end world No. 1 ranking but admitted he will use it as "extra motivation" next season.
Sinner had topped the rankings for much of this season before slipping to second following defeat against Alcaraz in the final at Flushing Meadows in September.
The Italian briefly retained top spot following his triumph in Paris last month, but returned to second after the rankings updated.
The 24-year-old has won five titles this term, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
But he insisted that his Spanish rival deserved top spot in the rankings because of "the level of tennis he’s shown".
"I’m happy for him, of course," Sinner said. "I’d be lying if I said I was super happy - I want to be honest. But he deserves it. He had a great season, won two Slams and eight titles in total.
"He’s playing at an incredibly high level and is competitive on every surface. He plays very aggressively - we’ve seen that in the three matches he’s played here so far.
"In the end, he earned it. I had pressure too, and he handled it very well. I’m happy for him because he’s a really good guy. He has a great team around him, and he’s working hard to reach his goals."
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The Italian added: "For me, this is extra motivation looking ahead to next year. If I had to choose, I’d still give it to him, considering the level of tennis he’s shown over the past two seasons. I’m happy for him - and now, let’s see what happens next year."
Sinner could set up a seventh final of the season against Alcaraz if he gets past Alex de Minaur on Saturday afternoon, before the Spaniard’s semi-final clash later in the day.
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