Carlos Alcaraz admits he’s glad Jannik Sinner skips Japan Open, avoids early showdown

When reporters asked the newly crowned world No. 1 whether he felt a weight lift off his shoulders because Jannik Sinner isn’t in the Japan Open draw, Carlos Alcaraz laughed and nodded. It’s not that he wishes to dodge a tough opponent – he’s faced Sinner in high‑stakes finals – but the timing of the two tournaments means the Spaniard can focus on his own matches without the looming possibility of an early clash.

Why the schedule matters

The Japan Open in Tokyo runs from September 24 to 30, 2025, and Alcaraz enters as the top seed. Meanwhile, Sinner’s debut on the Asian swing lands him in Beijing for the China Open, which starts on September 25 and runs through October 1. Because the events overlap, the two rivals are literally playing on different continents on the same days.

For fans, the separation is a double‑edged sword. On one hand, it guarantees that the US Open final rematch – which Alcaraz won in four sets – won’t be replayed just a week later. On the other, it deprives the audience of what could be a showdown between the two players who have split the last eight Grand Slam titles between them.

What’s at stake beyond Tokyo and Beijing

Alcaraz’s recent season has been a whirlwind. He lifted the French Open trophy in June and then added the US Open in September, the latter victory ending Sinner’s 65‑week reign at the top. The win not only gave Alcaraz his second Grand Slam of the year but also restored his position as the sport’s leading figure.

Sinner, however, has taken the loss with class. He praised Alcaraz’s consistency and noted that the Italian had played more high‑level events throughout the season. “He deserves the No. 1 spot,” Sinner said in a post‑match interview in Beijing, underscoring the mutual respect that defines their rivalry.

Both players now have a clear set of objectives. Alcaraz wants to solidify his momentum in Tokyo, pick up ATP points, and enter the Asian Masters 1000 in Shanghai with confidence. Sinner is looking to rack up points in Beijing, where the field is deep but the conditions favor his heavy baseline game.

The battle for the year‑end No. 1 ranking is far from settled. With the ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup looming, every match in the last month of the season can swing the standings. Sinner reminded everyone that “the season’s not over yet,” hinting that a strong finish in the Masters events could narrow the gap.

From a broader perspective, the split scheduling highlights how the ATP calendar can influence player narratives. When two dominant figures are forced onto separate stages, the sport creates parallel storylines that converge later in the year, heightening drama for the final tournaments.

Fans who follow both tours can still track the rivalry through rankings, head‑to‑head stats, and upcoming meetings. The next likely encounter could be at the Shanghai Masters or even the ATP Finals, where the top eight players clash in a round‑robin format.

In the meantime, Alcaraz appears focused on his game plan in Tokyo. He has spoken about staying aggressive, taking the ball early, and using his footwork to dictate points – a strategy that served him well on the clay of Roland Garros and the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.

Sinner, for his part, is leaning into his powerful forehand and improving his serve consistency, areas that helped him capture the China Open title last year. Both athletes have hinted at minor tweaks they are making in practice to stay ahead of each other, even if they are not meeting on court this week.

So while the Japan Open and China Open run side by side, the underlying narrative is simple: two of the game’s brightest stars are locked in a season‑long duel that will only end when one of them clinches the coveted year‑end No. 1 spot. Whether they meet in Tokyo, Beijing, or a later Masters event, the rivalry promises more excitement for tennis lovers worldwide.