Millions of people have dreamed of having New York at their feet, even for a single minute. Exactly what Carlos Alcaraz has achieved, that boy from Murcia who, thanks to tennis, has made the city that never sleeps his own. Alcaraz was crowned US Open tennis champion for the second time in his career by defeating his great rival, Jannik Sinner. Another episode in a rivalry that should continue for a long time, provided Alcaraz doesn't turn it into a tyranny. When he plays like he did yesterday, he seems far above everyone else. Sinner was defeated in four sets (6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4).

Top-level tennis players aren't resting. On Monday night, Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Masters 1000 after seeing his opponent, Jannik Sinner, withdraw from the final due to illness. The two players who dominate the world tour seem destined to fight to win the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, which begins this Sunday, but it's hard to know how they'll be in shape after seeing the Tyrolean player feeling dizzy. Furthermore, Alcaraz was supposed to play in the innovative US Open mixed doubles tournament launched this year by the U.S. Tennis Federation. Sinner was also supposed to, but decided to withdraw after his scare.

"Tennis is in very good hands," said Rafa Nadal this week. Naturally, he was talking about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the two players who seem destined to fight for dominance in the sport over the next decade. After the beautiful five and a half hour final at Roland Garros, in which the Murcian emerged victorious with a comeback very reminiscent of those performed by the player from Manacor, both are now looking ahead to Wimbledon. To be in shape for the grass-court Grand Slam, they have chosen different paths: the Italian will participate in the Halle tournament, where he won in 2024, while Alcaraz is betting on Queen's, although he has not yet confirmed 100% whether he will be there. "The plan is to play, but in a few days we'll make a final decision. Halfway through the tournament we talked about it and Alcaraz told us he wanted to go. After these days of rest we'll do a test to see how he's physically and mentally. He'll resume his specific training for grass. We'll go to Wimbledon with great enthusiasm; he loves to play;

Roland Garros now has a new champion. Everything seemed set for a natural change of pace among Spaniards on Centre Court Philippe-Chatrier, with Carlos Alcaraz taking the Manacor native's place. And so it turned out, although at times it seemed Jannik Sinner would kick the ball out of the way. Alcaraz defended the title he won a year ago against Zverev in a beautiful final in which he even saved three match points. Just when everything seemed decided in Sinner's favor, the Murcian dressed up for Christmas with one of those comebacks that seems illogical. The trophy was already ready to be presented to the world number 1, who was hoping to become the first Italian to win in Paris since Adriano Panatta in 1976. He'll have to wait. Alcaraz rose from the ashes and, in a show of pride, won his fifth Grand Slam tournament at the same age Nadal had achieved it (4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6). He has yet to lose a Grand Slam final. He's won them all.