Jannik Sinner refuses to 'lie' as he gives first reaction to losing year-end No.1 ranking to Carlos Alcaraz amid ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's battle for the year-end World No. 1 ranking went down to the wire, with the Spaniard coming out on top in the end. Alcaraz needed to sweep his round-robin games at the ATP Finals to clinch the top spot and he did just that.

Sinner was first crowned World No. 1 back in 2024 after the French Open. The Italian held onto that position well into the 2025 season thanks to his triumphs at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. However, Alcaraz snatched away the top spot after the US Open.

While Jannik Sinner was able to briefly regain top spot after the Paris Masters, Alcaraz pipped him once again with his perfect record at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Reflecting on the Spaniard’s accomplishment, Sinner told journalist Giovanni Pelazzo that he would use it as a source of motivation for next season.

"I'm happy for him, but if I told you I was super happy, I'd be telling a lie! But he deserves it, he's had an incredible season. He's won two Slams, eight tournaments. He's playing at a very high level, he's competitive on any surface.

"He had the pressure too, he managed it very well, but I'm glad for him. He's a really good guy, he has a great team around him and he's earned these achievements. For me, this is motivation for next year. If I had to choose another player to end up #1, I’d always choose him, he deserves it.”

For Carlos Alcaraz, this marks the second time he has finished as the year-end World No. 1. The 22-year-old had previously achieved this honour in 2022, when he won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open.

Jannik Sinner set to go up against Alex de Minaur in ATP Finals SF

Sinner at the Nitto ATP Finals 2025 (Image Source: Getty)

Jannik Sinner is currently in action at the 2025 ATP Finals. The Italian kicked off the tournament with a 7-5, 6-1 win against Felix Auger-Aliassime. He then went on to dismantle Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton in straight sets to advance to the semifinals, where he will face Australia’s Alex de Minaur.

The Italian holds an incredible 12-0 record against De Minaur, losing just two sets.