ATP Player of the Year, No. 1: Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz's 2025, by the Numbers

• 71-9: Overall win-loss record
• 24-2: Grand Slam win-loss record (AO QF, RG 🏆, W F, USO 🏆)
• 8: Titles (Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen's Club, Cincinnati, US Open, Tokyo)
• 3: Runner-ups (Barcelona, Wimbledon, ATP Finals)
• 1: Year-end ranking

🖥️📲 Stream Alcaraz's best matches of 2025 on the Tennis Channel App!

The Story of the Season

From the stats sheet alone, it’s easy to see why Carlos Alcaraz was named our 2025 ATP Player of the Year:

He clinched the ATP’s year-end No. 1 ranking, won a tour-high 71 matches and claimed eight trophies. including two Grand Slam titles. He reached the final at all four majors, splitting them evenly with rival Jannik Sinner: Alcaraz defended his Roland Garros crown and captured his sixth major title at the US Open, while Sinner won the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

So it’s almost surreal to remember that, at this time last year, pundits questioned whether Alcaraz—then ranked No. 3—could find the week-to-week consistency and emotional resilience needed to stay on top.

I’d say that it is, without a doubt, the best season I’ve had so far…

It took a few months for the Spaniard to settle in, but everything seemed to click during the clay season. He won his first Monte Carlo title in April, and then reached the final or better at nine of the next 10 tournaments he played for the rest of the year.

“Consistency is something that has always been tough for me, and it’s something I’ve worked on as hard as possible,” Alcaraz said during the Nitto ATP Finals, where he secured the year-end No. 1 ranking.

“For example, in previous years, consistency in matches or tournaments has always let me down. We’ve tried to improve, and I think we’ve done it. In every tournament I’ve either reached the final, won the title or had a good result.

“Compared to the start of the year, which wasn’t the best, we managed to turn it around and I’d say that it is, without a doubt, the best season I’ve had so far…”— Stephanie Livaudais

What's to Come in 2026?

The challenge for Alcaraz won’t be how to improve over the course of the year. In 2025, he went 71-9, won two majors, and finished No. 1. He found greater consistency, without backing off from his freewheeling attack.

In 2026, the Spaniard will begin with a narrower and more immediate goal: Getting off to a good start. In November, he told his rival Jannik Sinner that he’ll “be ready” for him when the new year begins. That declaration had special meaning, because the season starts at the Australian Open, where Sinner is the two-time defending champion, and Alcaraz has yet to make the semifinals.

What can Alcaraz do to change that, and complete his career Slam? Getting some early reps in might help. Traditionally, this is the one major where Alcaraz doesn’t play any tune-ups; it’s also the one major he hasn’t won.

If he’s as ready as he says he’ll be, nothing should stand between him and the final. The hard courts in Melbourne have been sped up, but that shouldn’t be a problem for a two-time winner on Wimbledon grass. And, with the exception of Sinner, he has distanced himself from the field over the past 12 months.

Alcaraz did that by following his instincts in 2025. Instead of dialing back his aggression, as many advised, he played with more freedom and aggression—and joy. It’s past time for him to take that style, and the smile that comes with it, Down Under.—Steve Tignor