US Open 2025: Review

New York did what New York always does: turned the sport’s closing major into a full-throttle show. Across two breathless weeks at Flushing Meadows, the storylines that shaped 2025 crystallised - headlined by a men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner that felt less like a match and more like a marker in a rivalry that’s defining this era. Alcaraz won it 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, reclaiming the world No.1 ranking and banking his second US Open and sixth major at just 22.

Champions, crowned in style

Men’s singles - Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
Alcaraz arrived in New York in ominous touch and left with the trophy, turning back Sinner with a blend of disguise, bite and fearless shot-making. The result also capped a see-saw summer between the pair: Sinner had dethroned Alcaraz at Wimbledon, while Alcaraz edged him in Paris. Their tug-of-war has powered the season and, on Arthur Ashe, Alcaraz’s variety - especially on serve - told in the biggest moments.

Women’s singles - Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka defended her title, beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3). It’s her fourth major and a statement win after runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros earlier this year. In the semi-final she overpowered Jessica Pegula; in the final she handled a surging Anisimova with cool, first-strike tennis.

Who moved the needle?

Amanda Anisimova (USA) was the heartbeat of the fortnight. Two months after a chastening Wimbledon final, she flipped the script by ousting Iga Świątek in the quarters and then edged Naomi Osaka in a three-set semi. A runner-up again in New York, yes - but the quality of her ball-striking and composure hinted at a player ready to turn deep runs into titles in 2026.

Novak Djokovic (SRB), at 38, made more history - becoming the oldest man to reach quarter-finals at all four majors in a single season - before running into a clinical Alcaraz in the semis. Even in defeat, the numbers and the level underline how present he still is at the sharp end.

Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) rediscovered his swagger, serving with venom to reach the last four and reminding everyone why he was tipped as a future major winner. He went out to Sinner but leaves with momentum restored.

There were British fingerprints on finals weekend too: Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski reached the men’s doubles final before falling in a deciding set - Granollers/Zeballos saving three championship points - to cap a strong home-interest storyline for UK fans.

The year in context

If 2024 teased it, 2025 confirmed it: Sinner and Alcaraz have become the sport’s axis. Sinner opened the year by winning the Australian Open and later lifted his first Wimbledon; Alcaraz owned clay in Paris and hard courts in New York. On the women’s side, the silverware spread - Madison Keys in Melbourne, Coco Gauff in Paris, Świątek’s ruthless first Wimbledon - before Sabalenka closed the door in New York. The balance of power is broad, but familiar names keep rising when it matters.

What it means for 2026

The men’s race feels deliciously poised. Alcaraz has reasserted himself, Sinner is still trading blows, and Djokovic refuses to fade. Add Auger-Aliassime’s resurgence and Taylor Fritz’s repeat week-two push, and Melbourne already looks tasty. On the women’s side, Sabalenka’s back-to-back calibre sits alongside Świątek’s grass-court leap, Gauff’s clay comfort and Anisimova’s renaissance - a quartet that could anchor the tour into next season.

New York did the rest: night sessions that ran long, music pumping, a crowd that lives every point. As the sport’s final major of the year, the US Open often clarifies the picture. This one did exactly that - reminding us who’s on top, who’s coming, and why the off-season will feel far too long.

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