As happened last year, Carlos Alcaraz had to surrender to his main rival Jannik Sinner in the final of the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia. The world No.1 who had admitted he wasn't at the top of his shape yet has shown that he is inferior to the Italian ace in indoor conditions and knows he needs to raise his level if he wants to have a chance of triumphing at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin next month.
The Spanish star's season has been excellent so far and the results of the last tournaments of 2025 will not be able to change this verdict. The 22-year-old from Murcia has won eight titles and has been incredibly consistent from spring onwards, reaching at least the final in every tournament he has participated in.
He has improved from all points of view and it is no coincidence that he has returned to occupy the first position of the ATP ranking, dethroning his huge rival Sinner and interrupting his reign that had lasted for over a year.
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Alcaraz will play three more events
The six-time Grand Slam champion capable of winning two Major titles and three Masters 1000 titles this year has decided to miss the Shanghai Rolex Masters due to a left ankle injury suffered in Tokyo and will not play in either Vienna or Basel this week.
He will return to action directly at the Paris Masters 1000, scheduled in the new venue from October 27 to November 2. Carlitos has never had a particular feeling with this tournament, where he was eliminated already in the round of 16 in 2024 losing to local idol Ugo Humbert.
After the last Masters 1000 of the season, Alcaraz will be among the protagonists of the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin which will take place from 9 to 16 November and should also be present at the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna the following week. Before starting winter preparation, the world number 1 will play two exhibition matches in the United States. He will face Frances Tiafoe on December 7 and the young Brazilian star Joao Fonseca the following day, respectively.
