Alcaraz Outduels Sinner in Epic Clash Amid Trump Boos
Sabalenka Defends Crown at 2025 US Open
Flushing Meadows, New York: On a sun-soaked Sunday, September 7, Arthur Ashe Stadium buzzed with electrifying tennis and unexpected off-court drama as the 2025 US Open finals captivated a global audience. The day began with the women’s singles final, where top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus defended her title against American No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova, prevailing in a tense 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) battle that lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Hours later, the men’s singles final saw Carlos Alcaraz of Spain outlast Italy’s Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, in a thrilling 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory, securing his second US Open title and sixth major overall, reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking.
The 22-year-old Spaniard’s triumph was briefly overshadowed by a polarising moment: U.S. President Donald Trump’s appearance in the presidential suite during the men’s final, which drew loud boos from sections of the 23,000-strong crowd, fueled by political divides and frustration over security delays that left hundreds of fans stuck in hour-long lines.
Sabalenka Storms to Second US Open Title
The women’s final, kicking off the day’s championship action, showcased Sabalenka’s unrelenting power against a spirited Anisimova. The 27-year-old Belarusian, who had faced tough American opponents all season—losing to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final (6-4, 3-6, 6-3), Coco Gauff in the French Open final (7-5, 4-6, 6-2), and Anisimova in the Wimbledon semifinals (6-3, 7-6)—was in top form. Her serve, peaking at 120 mph, powered 35 winners, and she converted 2 of 3 break points in the first set, capitalising on Anisimova’s 18 unforced errors to take it 6-3. The second set was a slugfest, with the 24-year-old Anisimova, in her first major final after a thrilling semifinal upset over No. 23 seed Naomi Osaka (6-4, 4-6, 7-5), saving four set points to force a tiebreak. Sabalenka dominated the breaker, winning the first three points and sealing the match with an ace, finishing with 12 aces and a 78% first-serve points won rate. Anisimova, despite 25 winners, couldn’t overcome 22 unforced errors. Sabalenka’s victory, her 100th career Grand Slam main-draw win, made her the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach three major finals in a year. Anisimova’s run continued a proud streak for American women, who have appeared in the last five major finals, winning two (Gauff at the 2023 US Open, Sofia Kenin at 2024 Roland Garros) and losing three (Pegula in 2024 US Open, Keys in 2025 Australian Open, Anisimova in 2025 US Open).
The men’s final, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET and broadcast on ABC, was the latest chapter in a riveting rivalry that has defined the 2025 season. Alcaraz and Sinner, aged 22 and 24 respectively, faced off in three of the four Grand Slam finals this year, a historic feat in the Open Era. Alcaraz triumphed over Sinner in the French Open final (6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2), while Sinner prevailed at Wimbledon (7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3), splitting their major final matchups before this US Open showdown. Their head-to-head record now stands at 6-4 in Alcaraz’s favour, with 10 encounters since 2022, including five in 2025 alone. Sinner, the youngest man to reach all four major finals in a single season and five consecutive major finals in the Open Era, brought a 35-match Grand Slam win streak into the final. In contrast, Alcaraz, who didn’t drop a set all tournament—a first for a men’s US Open champion in the Open Era—showcased his versatility across surfaces. Together, they’ve won the last eight Grand Slam singles titles, a streak only surpassed by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s 11 from 2005-2007.
The men’s match took a dramatic turn when Trump appeared on the stadium’s jumbotron during the first set, eliciting a chorus of boos from the predominantly liberal New York crowd, interspersed with some cheers from supporters. The jeers echoed similar incidents from Trump’s 2019 US Open visit. They were amplified by frustration over his security detail, which caused hour-long entry delays, leaving hundreds of fans unable to see the opening sets. Social media buzzed with videos of the crowd’s reaction, with some posts noting Trump’s sarcastic remark that the “fans were great,” while others highlighted the disruption as a lightning rod for political divides. Yet the tennis reclaimed centre stage.
Alcaraz Tops Sinner in a Thriller
Alcaraz asserted dominance early, breaking Sinner twice in the first set, converting 3 of 5 break points, and firing 12 winners against 5 unforced errors, his forehand slicing through the hard court for a 6-2 lead. Sinner, struggling with a 58% first-serve points won rate, couldn’t counter Alcaraz’s speed, but the Italian roared back in the second, breaking at love in the fourth game and boosting his first-serve points won to 75%, levelling the score at 3-6 with 18 winners. The crowd, chanting “Vamos, Carlos!” and “Jan-nik!” amid occasional boos aimed elsewhere, felt the momentum swing. Alcaraz seized control in the third set, breaking Sinner in the third and seventh games for a 6-1 rout, amassing 28 winners to Sinner’s 22. The fourth set was a war of attrition, with Sinner saving three match points at 5-4 before netting a backhand on the fourth, handing Alcaraz the victory after 2 hours and 38 minutes. Alcaraz finished with 42 winners, 22 unforced errors, and an 80% first-serve points won rate, while Sinner tallied 32 winners and 28 unforced errors. The win marked Alcaraz as the fourth man—after Mats Wilander, Nadal, and Novak Djokovic—to win multiple majors on clay, grass, and hard courts.
Alcaraz’s $5 million prize money came with a significant tax burden. As a non-resident alien from Spain, he faces a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, equating to $1.5 million, and New York state’s 10.9% tax on non-resident earnings, adding roughly $545,000. After initial withholdings, Alcaraz nets approximately $3 million, though the U.S.-Spain tax treaty may allow him to reclaim some funds upon filing. His career earnings, now exceeding $50 million, reflect his meteoric rise.
The 2025 US Open, expanded to a 15-day format with Round 1 over three days, offered a record $90 million in prize money, with each champion earning $5 million before taxes. Streamed on ESPN+ and Fubo, the finals drew millions, cementing Alcaraz and Sinner’s rivalry, Sabalenka’s reign, and the off-court Trump controversy as defining moments of a thrilling tournament.
– global bihari bureau
