Carlos Alcaraz officially returned to the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings on Monday, marking his first time back at the top in two years. He earned the position by defeating Jannik Sinner in the U.S. Open men’s final, reclaiming the ranking he first achieved in 2022.
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Amanda Anisimova made a significant leap in the WTA rankings. Her runner-up finish to Aryna Sabalenka at the U.S. Open propelled her up five spots, reaching a career-best No. 4 and highlighting her remarkable rise in the sport.
Image: Seth Wenig / APTOPIX, US Open Tennis
“When you reach the goals you set for yourself at the start of the year, it’s an incredible feeling,” Alcaraz said.
He made that clear after winning his second title at Flushing Meadows, adding a sixth Grand Slam trophy to his collection.
Image: Seth Wenig / US Open Tennis
“For me,” he said, “to reach that milestone again… it’s truly a dream.”
Alcaraz moved up from No. 2, overtaking Sinner after a hard-fought 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday.
Sinner had held the No. 1 spot since his debut in June 2024, a remarkable 65-week stretch at the top of the rankings.
Alcaraz first claimed the No. 1 ranking in September 2022 at just 19, making history as the youngest player ever to do so, after capturing his first major title at that year’s U.S. Open. He later stepped away from the top spot in September 2023.
Image: Yuki Iwamura / US Open Tennis
Alexander Zverev remained at No. 3 on Monday, while Novak Djokovic, the 24-time major champion who fell to Alcaraz in Friday’s semifinals, moved up three spots from No. 7 to No. 4.
Sabalenka had already secured her hold on the No. 1 ranking by reaching the quarterfinals in New York, and she went on to claim her second consecutive U.S. Open title with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over 24-year-old American Anisimova on Saturday.
Anisimova’s second straight runner-up finish at a major — following her loss to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final in July — lifted her five spots from No. 9, marking an incredible comeback from outside the top 350 after returning last season from a mental-health break.
Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth / US Open Tennis
Swiatek, who was knocked out in the U.S. Open quarterfinals by Anisimova, held steady at No. 2, followed by Coco Gauff.
Jessica Pegula dropped from No. 4 to No. 7 after falling to Sabalenka in the semifinals last week, a repeat of last year’s U.S. Open final defeat to the same opponent.
Naomi Osaka reached her first Grand Slam semifinal since the 2021 Australian Open, losing to Anisimova on Thursday, which propelled her from No. 24 to No. 14. The four-time major champion and former No. 1 had not been inside the top 20 since January 2022.
The U.S. Open once again highlighted the mix of rising stars and established champions, showcasing the depth of talent in women’s tennis and setting the stage for an exciting season ahead, according to AP News.
