The '11' that managed to stop Sinner and Alcaraz in 2025

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the two great dominators of the circuit. The two strongest rivals within the locker room, although they are not invincible. In this 2025 season, a total of eleven brave players managed to cross paths with them.

We've played a little trick, but it was impossible to put together a ‘starting eleven’ without it. Obviously, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have faced each other several times, each defeating the other in this 2025 season, so both names will be included in the list. No player was able to beat them both –we might have to wait a while to see that–, leaving us with a very neat piece where we go through the eleven stories on the calendar where one of them was outplayed on the field.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

It was the first defeat of the year for Carlos Alcaraz and perhaps one that didn't hurt as much. Starting off the season at the Australian Open, the only Grand Slam missing from his collection, he reached the quarterfinals where Novak Djokovic awaited. No one trusted the Serbian to pass such a difficult test at this stage, but if there was a place to show his claws again, it was definitely Melbourne. A strike (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4) that signaled how competitive he would be throughout 2025.

JIRI LEHECKA

Continuing with Carlos Alcaraz, the first quarter of the season where he appeared more vulnerable. Upon his arrival in Doha, expectations were high once again, although it was his first time at this tournament. Once more reaching the quarterfinals, this time the opponent didn't have 24 Grand Slam titles. He had a good lead in the third set against Jiri Lehecka but it wasn't Alcaraz's day, losing to the Czech player in surprise fashion (6-3, 3-6, 6-4).

JACK DRAPER

And once again with Carlos Alcaraz, remembering a strange match, an ugly match, a match where the less bad player won. Indian Wells usually suits the Spanish player perfectly, but there are days when the weather is so challenging that not even he can master it. That afternoon, he couldn't dominate Jack Draper who was on a roll towards his first Masters 1000 title, defeating Alcaraz in the semifinals (6-1, 0-6, 6-4) with a score that raised some alarms.

DAVID GOFFIN

But if there was a defeat that set off all the alarms, it was undoubtedly the one suffered in the first round of the Miami Open against David Goffin. The match was so chaotic (5-7, 6-4, 6-3), so frustrating, that it may have been rock bottom for Carlos Alcaraz. It marked the end of a tour where no one remembered his triumph in Rotterdam. Fortunately, we know now that that slump turned out to be the definitive springboard for an unforgettable spring and summer, even though we had to see him bite the dust against the Belgian.

HOLGER RUNE

An injury prevented Carlos Alcaraz from performing at 100% in the 2025 Conde de Godó final, where he aimed for his third consecutive crown. After storming into Sunday like a force, an adductor issue caused the Murcian to succumb to Holger Rune (7-6, 6-2), though it must be acknowledged that the Dane also competed marvelously. A bitter taste, as significant as his withdrawal from the Madrid Masters 1000 a week later to fully recover.

CARLOS ALCARAZ

We reach the midpoint of the article and the name Jannik Sinner has not yet appeared, so it's time. The Italian, Australian Open champion and suspended for three months, returned to the circuit at the end of the clay court season. He returned only to lose to Carlos Alcaraz in the Rome final (7-6, 6-1) in a perfect tactical display by the Spaniard. The story repeated itself in the Roland Garros final (4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6), Cincinnati final (5-0 Ret.), and the US Open final (6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4). Four wins for the Spaniard against the Murcian, clearly establishing his dominance in the rivalry.

ALEXANDER BUBLIK

Not only Alcaraz has the tools to defeat Jannik Sinner. In the Halle tournament's round of 16, we discovered that Alexander Bublik was ready to face serious matches with the utmost professionalism, making it impossible to defeat the Italian on a surface like grass. The Italian had suffered a cruel defeat in Paris and was not in top form in Germany, providing some justification for the outstanding performance presented by Sascha that day (4-6, 6-3, 6-4).

JANNIK SINNER

Although it was a tough journey, despite numerous recent defeats against Carlos Alcaraz, there was a moment in the season when Jannik Sinner finally managed to avenge his main rival. Moreover, he did it convincingly, dethroning him at Wimbledon (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4) and ending an endless streak of victories. That was the first Grand Slam final lost by the Murcian player, right after the Italian also lost his first final in Roland Garros a month earlier. They reciprocated each other, confirming that, barring any surprises, they are the only ones capable of unlocking themselves on the court. By the way, the Italian also emerged victorious in the ATP Finals final (7-6, 7-5), ending the season with a bang.

TAYLOR FRITZ

This victory, although in the Laver Cup, is also official. Why? Because the tournament is official, part of the ATP calendar, a fact that people sometimes overlook. To this day, it remains the only triumph of the American over the Spaniard in six encounters, a memorable victory (6-3, 6-2). Well, perhaps it's not that significant, but Fritz enjoyed his lucky day in San Francisco, earning a spot in this article thanks to it.

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR

A small incident at the Shanghai Masters 1000 turned out to be somewhat beneficial for Jannik Sinner, who then gained momentum until the end of the season. However, he had to retire against Tallon Griekspoor when things were looking tough in the third set (6-7, 7-5, 3-2 Ret.). Nevertheless, the losses count equally. It was a luxury for the Dutch player to feature in this piece, well-deserved after pushing the Italian to his limits in such a demanding match. Cramps then intervened, ending the party.

CAMERON NORRIE

We conclude with the slight disaster that Carlos Alcaraz experienced in the Paris Masters 1000, a tournament that had a new venue this season, yet the feelings for the Murcian player remained the same. Cameron Norrie appeared in the first round, a tough opponent to defeat regardless of how many times you've beaten him. It lacked attitude, luck, and tennis on Alcaraz's part, while the Brit excelled (4-6, 6-3, 6-4), securing one of those victories that validate all the effort.

In conclusion, which players managed to defeat Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz this season? The Italian succumbed to only three players, while the Spaniard was defeated by a total of eight opponents. Clearly, one is more prone to slips and opening the door to surprises, the same one who finishes the season as the world No. 1.

And now, the most important question, which of these names will repeat in 2026? Which new players will join the list?

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El "11" que consiguió frenar a Sinner y Alcaraz en 2025