Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, chess match at the US Open final 2025
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are set to face each other in the 2025 US Open men’s singles final, marking the third consecutive Grand Slam final between the two. Alcaraz advanced to the final by defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6–4, 7–6(4), 6–2, in the semifinals. Sinner secured his spot in the final with a 6–1, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Chess has always been a metaphor for important political, sports, or business encounters around the world. The phrase “chess-like” was used by tennis commentators and media outlets to describe the tactical nature of Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Rome final. And once again they are describing Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner as chess match at the US Open final 2025.
But is there an actual connection to chess for Alcaraz and Sinner? Indeed there is!
The first time Carlos Alcaraz commented in depth about the importance of chess for him was in an interview for Marca on March 7th, 2022 before Indian Wells (read the full interview here). Then Alcaraz said, “It helps me to be faster mentally, to watch plays, to see the move you want to make, the strategy… To be focused all the time. In chess, like tennis, you get lost for a moment and the game is already mixed up. In this aspect they are two quite similar disciplines.” Later in 2022, Carloz Alcaraz made headlines for his fantastic performance in the Mutua Madrid. Alcaraz qualified for the final defeating Djokovic in a thriller match 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5) – the same opponent he defeated at the US Open 2025 finals now – and after the victory he one more time asserted that chess is essential part of his training.
More tennis and chess: Djokovic is also known to play chess / Becker saying “Key to tennis success is chess” (scroll down for the full text)
Jannik Sinner’s connection to chess is more subtle, but it surfaced thanks to a collaboration with Andrea Bocelli (note: Bocelli is a passionate chess lover was the motor and idea behind the Anand – Faustino Oro match). Jannik Sinner and Andrea Bocelli have collaborated on a musical project titled “Polvere e Gloria” (translated as Dust and Glory). Released on June 20, 2025, this single features Bocelli’s operatic vocals alongside Sinner’s spoken-word contributions. The song blends Italian and English and reflects on life’s struggles and triumphs.
As a promo for the collaboration, Jannik Sinner and Andrea Bocelli played a chess game. There, Sinner commented, “Mastering strategy off the court”