Le '11' qui a réussi à arrêter Sinner et Alcaraz en 2025

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the two main 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 souls managed to cross paths with them.

We have cheated a bit, but without it, it was impossible to put together an 'eleven' to take the field. Obviously, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have faced each other several times, each winning against the other in this 2025 season, so both names will also be included in the list. No player could defeat both of them – it may take a while before we see that – so we have a very intriguing piece left to review the eleven tales of the calendar where one of the two was tilted on the field.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

It was the first defeat of the year for Carlos Alcaraz and perhaps never suffered one that hurt more. The first tournament of the season, the Australian Open, the only Grand Slam missing from his collection, he reaches the quarterfinals where Novak Djokovic awaits. No one trusted the Serbian for such a challenging test at this stage, but if there was a place to show his claws again, it was undoubtedly Melbourne. A strike (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4) that foreshadowed how competitive he would be throughout 2025.

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JIRI LEHECKA

We continue with Carlos Alcaraz and a 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 in this tournament. Once again, he reached the quarterfinals, but this time the opponent didn't have 24 Grand Slam titles. He had a good advantage in the third set against Jiri Lehecka, but it was not the Murcian's day, coming out defeated against the Czech player to everyone's surprise (6-3, 3-6, 6-4).

JACK DRAPER

And again, we continue with Carlos Alcaraz, where we recall a strange match, an ugly match, a match where the lesser evil won. Indian Wells has conditions that usually suit the Spaniard well, but there are days when the weather is so challenging that not even he can control it. That afternoon, he couldn't dominate Jack Draper, who was on a roll towards his first Masters 1000 title, hence defeating the Murcian in the semifinals (6-1, 0-6, 6-4) with a scoreline that raised some alarms.

DAVID GOFFIN

But if there was a defeat that set off all 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 possibly marked the rock bottom for Carlos Alcaraz. It was the end of a tour where no one remembered his triumph in Rotterdam. Fortunately, we now know that that hole turned out to be the ultimate springboard for an unforgettable spring and summer, although before that, we had to see him bite the dust against the Belgian.

HOLGER RUNE

An injury prevented Carlos Alcaraz from performing at 100% in the final of the 2025 Barcelona Open, where he was seeking his third consecutive crown. After arriving like a rocket on Sunday, the adductor forced the Murcian to surrender to Holger Rune (7-6, 6-2), although it must be admitted that the Dane also competed marvelously. A bitter taste, as significant as having to withdraw from the Madrid Masters 1000 a week later to fully recover.

CARLOS ALCARAZ

We reach the midpoint of the article, and the name of Jannik Sinner has not yet been mentioned, so it's time. The Italian, Australian Open champion and subsequently sanctioned for three months, returned to the circuit at the end of the clay court season. And he did so to lose against 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), the Cincinnati final (5-0 Ret.), and the US Open final (6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4). Four victories for the Spaniard against the Murcian, clearly demonstrating his dominance in the rivalry.

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ALEXANDER BUBLIK

But not only Alcaraz has the tools to defeat Jannik Sinner. In the Halle tournament's round of 16, we discovered that Alexander Bublik is ready to face serious matches with the utmost professionalism, making it almost impossible to overcome the Italian on a surface like grass. The Italian was coming off a cruel defeat in Paris, not in great shape in Germany, which could be an excuse for the tremendous performance of Sascha that day (4-6, 6-3, 6-4).

JANNIK SINNER

Although it was a struggle, despite many recent defeats against Carlos Alcaraz, there was a moment in the season where Jannik Sinner finally managed to avenge his top rival. He did so without any suffering, in a resounding manner, by dethroning him at Wimbledon (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4) and ending an infinite winning streak. That was the first Grand Slam final that the Murcian gave up after the Italian also surrendered in the Roland Garros final a month before. They both paid each other back in the same coin, confirming that, barring a surprise, they are the only ones capable of unlocking themselves on the court. By the way, the Italian again emerged victorious in the ATP Finals final (7-6, 7-5), closing the season in style.

TAYLOR FRITZ

Note that this victory, even though it happened in the Laver Cup, is also official. Why? Because the tournament is official, included in the ATP calendar, a fact that people sometimes overlook. To date, it is the only victory of the American against the Spaniard in six encounters, but surely, it tastes so sweet that he doesn't even remember the others (6-3, 6-2). Well, maybe it's not that extreme, but the fact is that Fritz had his lucky day in San Francisco, securing a spot in this article thanks to that.

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR

A small mishap suffered in the Shanghai Masters 1000 ended up benefiting Jannik Sinner, who then picked up speed until the end of the season. But there he lost; he had to retire against Tallon Griekspoor when things were looking rough in the third set (6-7, 7-5, 3-2 Ret.), but all defeats count the same here. What a luxury for the Dutchman to appear in this piece, well-deserved after putting the Italian in a tight spot in such a demanding match. Then came the cramps, and the party was over.

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CAMERON NORRIE

We conclude with the little disaster signed by Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris Masters 1000, a tournament that debuted at a new venue this season, although the feelings of the Murcian remained the same. Cameron Norrie appeared in the first round, a rival who is always challenging to beat, no matter how many times you may have defeated him. Attitude was lacking, luck was lacking, and tennis was lacking. Meanwhile, the Briton excelled (4-6, 6-3, 6-4), securing one of those victories that make all the hard work worthwhile.

In conclusion, which players managed to defeat Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz this season? The Italian only succumbed to three players, while the Murcian was defeated by a total of eight. For now, it is evident which of the two is more prone to slip up and leave the door open for 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 is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El "11" que consiguió frenar a Sinner y Alcaraz en 2025