By Ben Phillips
Aryna Sabalenka is once again a Grand Slam champion. The world number one defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 in the US Open final to capture her fourth major title and her second crown in New York, reaffirming her status as the dominant force in women’s tennis.
For Sabalenka, this victory holds particular significance. Having reached the business end of every Slam this season without a title to show for it, there was a growing question about whether her consistency would be overshadowed by her inability to finish the job. On Saturday night inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, those doubts were emphatically silenced. The Belarusian powered her way through the final with trademark aggression, and when the match tightened in the second set, she showed exactly why she has become such a reliable closer in the sport.
The tiebreak told the story. Sabalenka has now won her last 19 tiebreaks, an extraordinary streak that underlines her transformation into one of the most mentally resilient players in the game. Once an area of weakness, these high-pressure moments are now where she thrives. Against Anisimova, she raised her level when it mattered most, slamming down first serves and crushing returns that left the American little room to breathe.
For Anisimova, the disappointment was clear. Playing in her second straight Grand Slam final, the 24-year-old came much closer than her crushing loss to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon. She had her chances, particularly in the second set, but was ultimately outmatched by Sabalenka’s firepower and composure in the clutch. While she will be gutted to have fallen short again, back-to-back finals have confirmed her arrival as one of the game’s most dangerous players on the biggest stages.
As for Sabalenka, this win solidifies her reputation as a hard-court specialist. She has now won three of the last four hard-court majors, showcasing a level of dominance reminiscent of past greats. The best players in history are defined by their ability to excel at the most crucial moments, and Sabalenka is proving she has mastered this. Her ability to consistently summon her highest level in critical moments, especially in tiebreaks, has turned her into the woman to beat in world tennis.
She is now a four-time Slam champion, a two-time US Open winner, and a player whose reign at the top of the rankings looks unlikely to end anytime soon.
Alcaraz Back on Top with Another Grand Slam Triumph
If Sabalenka’s win earlier in the day solidified her as the queen of the women’s game, then Carlos Alcaraz’s performance in the men’s final underlined his own case as the king of the sport’s new era. The Spaniard defeated Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a final that captured the rivalry of a generation, re-establishing himself as the world number one and winning his second US Open title.
This was the third Grand Slam final between the pair this season, and while Sinner had the edge at Wimbledon, it was Alcaraz who shone brightest under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. From the very first game, he looked dialled in, using his blistering serve to set the tone. Alcaraz consistently reached 130mph on his first serve, finishing with a 61% first serve rate and winning 80% of those points. By comparison, Sinner struggled to find rhythm on his delivery, landing just 48% of first serves and often leaving himself vulnerable against Alcaraz’s razor-sharp returns.
The second set gave the world number one at the time, Sinner, a chance to breathe life into the contest. He struck cleaner from the baseline and forced Alcaraz into more defensive positions, eventually levelling the match at one set all. But just as quickly as Sinner had fought his way back, Alcaraz slammed the door shut in the third. His variety, speed, and creativity came to the fore as he raced through 6-1, putting himself back in control.
The fourth set carried tension, but not uncertainty. Every time Sinner threatened to claw his way into rallies, Alcaraz found the answer: a sliding passing shot here, a ferocious forehand winner there, or another booming serve that Sinner could only block back. At 5-4, Alcaraz stepped up to serve out the match, and fittingly, he sealed it with a booming first serve to the backhand, a final stamp of authority on a performance that reminded the world why he is not just the present but very much the future of men’s tennis.
For Sinner, this will sting. He has now lost two Grand Slam finals in 2025, and while he has risen to incredible heights this season, his return to number two in the rankings is a reminder of just how relentless Alcaraz can be. The Italian played well but not at his Wimbledon peak, and the serving discrepancy told the story of the night. Still, his consistency across all four Slams this year shows he is not going anywhere. This rivalry is only just beginning.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Grand Slam season is now complete, and the tennis world shifts into its autumn schedule of Masters 1000s and indoor events. The next major, however, will not be until the Australian Open in January, giving players a much-needed break to regroup and reset.
For Jannik Sinner, this stretch could prove pivotal. The Italian will return in 2026 with fewer ranking points to defend, as his suspension this time last year meant he missed much of the start of the season. That gives him a huge opportunity to rack up points and potentially reclaim the world number one ranking early in the new year.
Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, heads into the off-season as the reigning king of the sport. With the French Open and the US Open already on his 2025 résumé, he has shown he can rise to any challenge. The Spaniard has not just won titles but has also looked like a player still getting better, an ominous prospect for the rest of the tour.
Aryna Sabalenka will also enter 2026 as the clear force to beat in women’s tennis, while Amanda Anisimova, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka will all look to challenge her in Melbourne.
Highlights of the Tournament
The US Open 2025 gave us stories, drama, and brilliance in equal measure:
- Naomi Osaka’s resurgence lit up the women’s draw. The four-time Slam champion made her first deep run at a major since her return, defeating Coco Gauff in a stunning performance and reaching the semi-finals. Even though she fell short against Anisimova, her level suggested she is well and truly back among the elite.
- Novak Djokovic, at 38 years old, once again defied the odds. The Serbian reached yet another Grand Slam semi-final, defeating some of the game’s top names along the way. Though Alcaraz proved too strong, Djokovic showed flashes of the brilliance that has defined his career. Every time it looks like his time may be up, he finds another way to compete.
- Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s rivalry delivered again. For the first time in the Open Era, two men contested three Slam finals in the same season, and each duel added another chapter to their story. The rivalry is fierce but respectful, the kind that elevates not just the players but the sport as a whole.
- Aryna Sabalenka’s dominance in tiebreaks. Winning her last 19 tiebreaks is a staggering statistic and a reflection of her improved mental toughness. It was key to her US Open victory and has turned her into a complete champion.
From Osaka’s resurgence to Djokovic’s defiance, from Sabalenka’s coronation to Alcaraz’s brilliance, the 2025 US Open was a tournament that highlighted the past, present, and future of the sport all at once.
And with that, the curtain falls on another unforgettable Slam season. Tennis will pause, but only briefly. When the Australian Open comes in January, expect these rivalries to burn brighter than ever.
