Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in four sets on Sunday to claim the US Open title, while President Donald Trump’s appearance at the final drew a mix of loud boos and scattered cheers from the New York crowd.
The 22-year-old Spaniard prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to secure his second US Open crown and sixth Grand Slam overall, avenging his only loss in a major final against Sinner at Wimbledon in July. The victory ends Sinner’s 27-match winning streak at hard-court Grand Slams and propels Alcaraz back to world number one for the first time since September 2023.
“I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more,” said Sinner, who also fell to Alcaraz in the French Open final earlier this year.
Sinner’s defeat continues the Open era’s longest stretch without a successful men’s title defence at a Grand Slam. No man has retained the US Open crown since Roger Federer’s run of five straight between 2004 and 2008.
The highly anticipated clash between the world’s top two players gained even more attention with Trump in attendance. The president, who has made a string of visits to major sporting events this year, waved to the crowd before the national anthem, greeted by both cheers and boos. A colder reception followed later when his image reappeared on the big screens.
The added security for Trump delayed the start of the match by 30 minutes, leaving Arthur Ashe Stadium barely three-quarters full when Alcaraz broke Sinner in the opening game.
After the pair split the first two sets, Alcaraz dominated the third with dazzling shot-making, including a spectacular running smash that sealed a 3-0 lead. He carried the momentum into the fourth, breaking Sinner in the fifth game and holding firm to close out the match.
The win makes Alcaraz only the fourth man in history to capture multiple Grand Slam titles on hard court, grass, and clay.
The star-studded crowd included Bruce Springsteen, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Douglas, and NBA star Stephen Curry, adding extra glamour to a night of high drama both on and off the court.
