09/09/2025

Read

iPaper at Malaysian Paper

www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download

app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Malaysian Paper or download

SCAN ME

SCAN ME

TUESDAY | SEPT 9, 2025

Malaysian Paper

‘Perfect’ Alcaraz Spaniard hammers Sinner to reclaim US Open trophy and world No. 1 spot A S men’s tennis has entered a new dawn, an undeniable truth has remained about the two best players in the world. my youth and this one is more matur ity. Little by little I’m growing, I’m knowing how to deal with cer tain situations.” The transformation from

‘They’re back!

- Story on page 31

From week to week, Jannik Sinner has mostly been unbeatable. But when Carlos Alcaraz finds his top level, no one, including Sinner, can stop him. In a US Open final that saw Alcaraz and Sinner face each other for the title in a third consecutive grand slam, the Spaniard completed his best-ever per formance across a major tournament to demolish his rival, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking. Even the presence of Donald Trump, which caused the final to be delayed and forced it to start in front of thousands of empty seats as fans waited to pass through additional security checks outside, could not take the attention away from Alcaraz when he hit his spellbinding best. Eight weeks on from Sinner’s win over Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz ended the Italian’s winning run in the hard-court grand slams at 27 matches, revenge served with a display of thumping serves and brilliant shot making. Sinner was subdued, but Alcaraz was too good, with this his sixth win over his rival in their last seven meet ings. “You were better than me,” Sinner said to Alcaraz as he was presented with the trophy. “I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more.” It was the “perfect” performance, Alcaraz’s coach and the former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero said after wards. Alcaraz agreed. “Not too many times I would say he said that, that I played perfectly,” Alcaraz smiled. “But, yeah, he’s right. I think I played perfect. “If I want to win the US Open, if I want to beat Jannik, I have to play per fect, and I think he was right. “The No. 1 (ranking) is a goal that I had set myself almost at the beginning of the year and to see that I have achieved it is something incredible,” a smiling Alcaraz told reporters. “Doing it the same day as getting another Grand Slam feels even better. “It has been two spectacular weeks, at a very high level tennis-wise, but above all mentally, which I am very proud of. “The first US Open (title) was about

his Wimbledon heartbreak showed Alcaraz’s remark able adaptability. “Right after the Wimbledon final I just thought that I need to improve if I want to beat him,” the Spaniard said. Alcaraz dropped just one set – against Sinner yesterday – en route to the champion ship, and he leaves New York on a 13-match winning streak and with his seventh title of the season in the bag. “I feel like this is the best tournament so far that I have ever played,” Alcaraz added. “The consistency of my level during the whole tourna ment has been really high, which I’m really proud of.” Ferrero highlighted how much he has evolved since winning his first major in 2022. “Back then, he was still playing on impulse, almost unconsciously,” he said. “Today you see a player with much more experience, who knows how to read the big moments, who arrives on court calmer, clearer about what he needs to do.” The former French Open champion stressed, however, that Alcaraz is still a work in progress. “Like any player he has weak nesses, but he’s improving them all the time,” Ferrero added. “There’s still plenty of room to grow. If we ever think he’s perfect, that’s when we’ll be making the biggest mistake.” Alcaraz is already thinking about his next big goal - winning the Australian Open to complete a career Grand Slam. “It’s my first goal, to complete a career Grand Slam. It’s always been in my mind,” he said. “I’ll try to complete it next

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates and poses with his trophy after defeating Jannik Sinner of Italy during their men’s singles final of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre yesterday. – AFPPIC

year, but if it’s not next year, then in two, three, or four. I just want to complete it.” – The Independent/Reuters

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com