Monday, September 14, 2026

Jannik Sinner Beats Carlos Alcaraz in Season Finale for $5.1M Prize

Sinner and Alcaraz split their six meetings this year, all of which were tournament finals.

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The ATP season came to a fitting end: Another battle between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

At the ATP Finals in Turin on Sunday, world No. 2 Sinner triumphed over No. 1 Alcaraz to win the $5.1 million prize for the second year in a row. By going undefeated in the tournament, Sinner secured the largest prize on the 2025 men’s tennis calendar, slightly more than the $5 million Alcaraz won at the US Open by defeating Sinner in the final.

It was the sixth official battle of the season between the two rivals, with Alcaraz winning four times and Sinner taking two. 

With the win, Sinner, 24, set the second-largest single-season record with $19.1 million, surpassing his own personal best mark of $16.9 million last year. On top of the ATP Final, Sinner made the finals at all four Grand Slams, winning two of them (Australian Open and Wimbledon). He also won the Paris Masters, an ATP 1000 tournament.

He still fell short of the single-season record set by Novak Djokovic in 2015 ($21.15 million).

Despite the loss, Alcaraz, who won $2.7 million, moved to fifth all-time in career earnings ($57.5 million), ahead of world No. 3 Alexander Zverev ($56.7 million). Zverev won about $730,000 in Turin after being eliminated in the group stages. 

Sinner is right behind Zverev in seventh ($56.6 million), though he took home the $6 million prize at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia last month, which is not considered in the official ATP earnings count.

The Italian also beat Alcaraz in the final of that tournament, though it’s also not considered in their official head-to-head standings.

If the two young stars replicate their 2025 seasons next year, they will both pass Andy Murray ($64.7 million) for fourth in career earnings. But they are a long way from catching tennis’ Big Three of Roger Federer ($130.6 million), Rafael Nadal ($134.9 million), and Djokovic ($191.3 million).

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Stephen A. Smith: McAfee Has a ‘Different Set of Rules’ at ESPN

Smith signed a nine-figure contract with ESPN last year.
Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 7, 2026.

Clippers Controversy Hangs Over NBA Board of Governors Meeting

Adam Silver is expected to hold a press conference Tuesday.

NFL Kickoff Ratings Dip on Wednesday

Viewership surprisingly fell for the NFL’s season opener.
Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 12, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka enters the court ahead of her final match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Geoff Burke

Top Tennis Players Pause Public Battle With Grand Slams

It’s not clear which players will be part of the new council.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/14/26 – US Open Crowns Champs, ESPN’s Ted Cruz Controversy, FOS Tonight Premieres

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”

NFL Gets Explosive Sunday of Scoring After Sluggish Start

Teams put up 791 points, tying the high mark from 2012.
September 13, 2026

Brewers, Rays Make Playoffs, Complicating MLB Labor Fight

The Brewers and Rays both have below-average payrolls.
September 13, 2026

Zverev Beats Shelton as American Men’s Grand Slam Drought Continues

Zverev won the US Open for his second Grand Slam of 2026.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 9, 2026 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz fells during his quarter-final match against Ben Shelton of the U.S. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
September 12, 2026

No Quick Fixes Coming for US Open’s Late Nights

While Wimbledon has a curfew, the other three majors don’t want one.
The Herd
Exclusive
September 12, 2026

Colin Cowherd Buys Stake in EPL’s Ipswich

Other Ipswich investors include Marques Colston and Ed Sheeran.
Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Bills at Huntington Bank Field
September 11, 2026

QB Contracts and New Coaches: NFL Week 1 Storylines

The league’s season is kicking off with nine major business storylines.
Mar 21, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on during the game between the Mavericks and the Clippers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
September 11, 2026

Kawhi Leonard Saga Enters Uncharted Territory With Federal Probe

News of the probe comes a week after the NBA announced its punishment.