ATP Finals: All-star Alcaraz secures year-end top spot

Alcaraz dominated proceedings 6-4, 6-1 over home charge Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday night to not only finish his group stage undefeated, to qualify for the semi-finals, but to replicate his 2022 season-ending triumph at the peak of the rankings.

“It means the world to me, to be honest. The year-end No.1 is always a goal,” said Alcaraz. “At the beginning of the year, I saw the No.1 really, really far away with Jannik winning almost every tournament he plays. But from the middle of the season until now, I had the goal for the No.1 because I thought it was there. I had the chance to play great tennis in a lot of tournaments in a row to put myself in with a chance to be close to Jannik for the No.1. Then in the last three, four tournaments of the year, fighting toe to toe with Jannik for this spot and then finally I got it. For me, it means everything.”

Back in 2022, the Spaniard became the youngest year-end No.1 ever (since rankings formed in 1973) and joins Novak Djokovic (8) as the only active men to secure multiple season finishes at the summit.

Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam in 2022 in New York, but in 2025 the 22-year-old took his tally up to six majors with Roland-Garros and US Open glory.

The Roland-Garros final thriller against Jannik Sinner was an instant classic, as Alcaraz saved three championship points in the five hours and 29 minutes marathon.

With a tour-leading eight titles in 2025, Alcaraz has also captured the top prize at a trio of Masters 1000 events (Monte-Carlo, Rome and Cincinnati) as well as trophy photoshoots at Rotterdam, Queen’s and Tokyo.

The Year-End No.1 has been ultra consistent this year, compiling 70 match wins for the first time in his scintillating career (70-8 so far). On top of that, the Spaniard progressed to the final in nine successive tournaments, on a stretch from Monte-Carlo in April all the way through to Tokyo back in September. Now that is No.1 consistency.

Could Alcaraz claim even more glory with a maiden ATP Finals title on Sunday? First, he’ll face the winner of the Friday tussle between two-time champion Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

On the other side of the draw, there is defending champion and home talisman Sinner.

The Italian is on course for yet another final showing, blazing past Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 6-1 and Zverev 6-4, 6-3 for a semi-final ticket. The 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon winner will hope to keep up his imperious form across the net from Ben Shelton in his closing round robin match on Friday.

Into the semi-finals and Sinner will be boosted by a 12-0 record in past duels with Australia’s roadrunner Alex De Minaur.

The world No.7 suffered a gut-wrenching opening defeat by Musetti in Turin, however, De Minaur rebounded in style to dismiss Taylor Fritz 7-6(3), 6-3. In doing so, he secured his first ATP Finals victory at the fifth attempt. The relief was palpable in his celebrations and post-match words.

“A couple of days ago was one of the toughest days I've had in my career... I could tell you that I hated the sport. Here we are two days later and I'm feeling great about myself. It's incredible,” admitted the Australian.

“But more than anything, regardless of the result today, I had made peace with myself. That was a big, big moment.”

De Minaur is adamant to put a positive twist on his upcoming clash with Sinner, despite their head-to-head.

“Jannik, I played a good match against him in Beijing. In Vienna, he got the better of me, as well. But I do feel like I'm heading in the right direction. I'm gaining momentum.”

An Alcaraz versus Sinner Roland-Garros final re-match, one last gladiatorial battle, would be a fitting finale for the 2025 season. Who could rip up that script?

It’s going to culminate in a spectacular ATP Finals showdown.