The crowd was still roaring, the confetti still falling, when Jannik Sinner was asked the question players dread… How does this season compare to last year? Fresh off a statement win over Carlos Alcaraz to capture the ATP Finals title, Sinner didn’t hesitate. He wasn’t chasing comparisons. He was chasing evolution.

With this 7-6(4), 7-5 win over the Spaniard, Sinner has now managed to extend his unbeaten run on indoor hard courts to 31 matches. What a season this has been for the Italian despite being out of action for almost three months due to the doping suspension. However, last year, he managed to finish the year as world number one, but this year, Alcaraz snatched away his crown.

Considering all of these, how does he look at the 2024 and 2025 seasons? During the post-match interview when Jannik Sinner was asked to make a comparison, he said, “Well, look, honestly I don't want to compare. It's an amazing season. Last year has been an amazing season. This year making four Grand Slam finals, coming here, winning here, having this big streak at the end of the year, it's amazing.” Having said that, he also added, “But mostly I feel to be a better player than last year; I think this is the most important. It's all part of the process. I always say and believe that if you keep working and trying to be a better player, the results, they're going to come. This year it was like this.”

The reply was quite classic from the Italian - measured, grounded, and uninterested in narratives that pit one version of himself against another. Even as the tennis world buzzed around him, he remained focused on the only story he cared about: his growth. In that interview, Sinner further added, “Of course, as I always say, the off-season, now we have a lot of time to adjust ourself already for next season, being as ready as possible. Honestly, amazing season, no? Many, many wins, and not many losses. All the losses I had, I tried to see the positive thing and trying to evolve me as a player. I feel like, or I felt like, this happened in a very good way. I'm extremely happy with the season.”

However, the former Australian tennis player Paul McNamee took to social media to plant his flag firmly in the debate. For him, Jannik Sinner’s 2025 wasn’t just great; it was historic. He tweeted, “I’d say THE the best season for a #2, and no doubt the most controversial.”

Coming from someone who has watched generations of players battle for supremacy, those words carried an unmistakable weight. McNamee’s view crystallized what so many fans have felt all year long: Sinner has played at a level that would’bve been enough to secure the world number one ranking in almost any other era. But in the swirling storm of competition, rivalries, and storyline-heavy twists, he remains perched just below the summit.

And maybe that’s why comparisons feel hollow to Jannik Sinner. The numbers matter, but the journey matters more. What did others in the tennis world say about this incredible battle in Turin, featuring two of the biggest stars in the sport?

Tennis world reacts to Jannik Sinner’s stunning victory against Carlos Alcaraz

Under the glowing lights of Turin, with the crowd buzzing in anticipation, Jannik Sinner walked onto the court carrying not just a racket but the weight of a rivalry that has defined men’s tennis in recent years. Across the net stood Carlos Alcaraz - fiery, fearless, and the kind of competitor who never gives anyone an easy night. What unfolded next was a masterclass from the Italian hero, a performance so composed and electrifying that even the sport’s icons couldn’t hold back their admiration. 

With this win, Sinner has now taken his H2H record to 6-11 against the Spaniard. But this was just his second win against Alcaraz this season. After the match we saw Carlos Alcaraz heaping praise on Sinner by saying, “Obviously I felt the improvements of Jannik. I said many times, I think a player like him, he always comes back stronger from the losses. He always learns from the losses. Once again, he has shown everybody that he did it. Especially in the serves, putting so much pressure on you. It's really difficult to play against him, obviously.”

Since the event’s inauguration in 1970, Jannik Sinner (2024-25) is the first player to win the ATP Finals without conceding a set in multiple and consecutive years. Reacting to his incredible performance, during a conversation on Tennis Channel, Jim Courier said, “It’s just remarkable at what he’s doing. And just to underscore, when you’re playing this tournament, that’s 10 consecutive wins in this tournament against top eight players. I mean, it’s just absurd the level that he’s been bringing, without dropping a set. It’s amazing, and he’s gonna finish the year feeling awfully good about himself. And I think this match was a real tipping point for how that he would view his off season.”

Emma Raducanu’s ex-coach, Mark Petchey, highlighted a big change in Sinner’s game during his win over the current world number one. He stated that Sinner did a nice job on his second serve, much better than what he did even at the US Open.  

While Coco Gauff’s ex-coach, Brad Gilbert, tweeted, “Unbelievable effort from Sin City 🌆 wins year-end @atptour championships back-to-back years without dropping a set, finishes the year on 3 straight indoor titles trophy 🏆  🏆 🏆.”

The indoor maestro of this generation had once again proven that under the bright, pressurized spotlight of the ATP Finals, he thrives. His precision, his calm, and his ability to rise in big moments left an impact so strong that even tennis royalty couldn’t help but stand and applaud. But can Jannik Sinner carry forward a similar momentum in 2026?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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