Sinner Crowned ATP Finals Champion, Defeats Alcaraz in Turin Thriller
Turin, Italy – November 19, 2023 - Jannik Sinner has cemented his status as a tennis maestro, claiming teh ATP Finals title with a 7-6 (4), 7-5 victory over carlos Alcaraz in a captivating final at the Inalpi Arena. The win ignited fervent enthusiasm from the packed arena and a massive television audience – likely only limited by a concurrent Italy-Norway World Cup qualifying match from achieving a historic viewership peak.
The victory marks the second consecutive year Sinner has been crowned Master, and comes with a record-breaking $5.07 million prize, part of a total $15.5 million prize pool for the tournament – the largest in ATP Finals history. Alcaraz received approximately $2.7 million as the runner-up.
The first set was a tightly contested affair, ultimately decided by a tiebreak Sinner won 7-4. Play was briefly interrupted for over 11 minutes due to a spectator requiring medical attention. Alcaraz held a set point at 6-5 while Sinner was serving, but the Italian leveraged his powerful serve – including one exceeding 180km/h – to navigate the pressure. Sinner finished the set with six aces and forced two double faults from Alcaraz, showcasing his technical prowess with well-placed lobs that bypassed the advancing Spaniard.
The second set began with two consecutive double faults from Sinner, leading to an early break for Alcaraz.However, the momentum shifted as Alcaraz committed unforced errors, including a missed volley, allowing Sinner to break back and level the set at 3-2. Sinner’s first serve efficiency dipped from around 70% to 50%,extending rallies and allowing Alcaraz to utilize his forehand. A lengthy seventh game, lasting over seven minutes, saw Sinner hold serve. The decisive break came in the twelfth game, with Sinner capitalizing on Alcaraz’s errors – the Spaniard played the entire match with a bandage on his right leg – to secure the 7-5 set and the championship.
The win does not impact the ATP rankings, but solidifies Sinner’s position as a dominant force in men’s tennis and delivers a thrilling conclusion to the 2023 ATP Finals.
