Below the marble statues of the Foro Italico, and in front of a Roman crowd that cheered only one name throughout the Rome Masters 1000 — Jannik Sinner — Carlos Alcaraz proved once again that he is the dominant force in men’s tennis.
The question on everyone’s mind before the final was whether Alcaraz could become the first player to take Sinner out of his comfort zone since his return from a three-month suspension due to doping accusations. Alcaraz showed temper in the first set and absolute dominance in the second.
While the Sinner vs Alcaraz clash — the defining rivalry of tennis’s new generation — promised drama, precision and nerves, the Roman final concluded in just two sets. Even though the opening moments betrayed the weight of the occasion -with Sinner’s first serve landing straight in the net and Alcaraz’s first reply flying into the stands, what unfolded was a balanced duel, a back-and-forth battle with both players securing their serve. Sinner edged ahead at 6–5 after three unusual errors from Alcaraz on serve. But, as the Spaniard so often reminds us, he thrives under pressure. With his characteristic power and intelligence on the court, he broke Sinner’s serve and forced a tiebreak. There, Alcaraz asserted his brilliance. Two perfect aces gave him the lead and helped him secure the first set.
As the second set got underway and Sinner emerged with renewed intent, Alcaraz responded with brutal serves and secured an early break, quickly tightening his grip on the match and ending the South Tyrolean’s attempt. Alcaraz displayed discipline, focus, and ruthless execution. He led the second set 5-0, and after a lone effort from Sinner to make it 5–1, Alcaraz served out the set 6–1 — and with it, the championship. Dropshots, aces and a fantastic forehand were once again central to Alcaraz’s game plan.
Rome never disappoints with its cultural and architectural beauty. Founded in 1930, the Internazionali BNL d’Italia —or Rome Masters— is an annual landmark on the tennis calendar that no tennis enthusiast would want to miss. Hosted annually at the magnificent Foro Italico in northern Rome, this unique Roman-inspired sports complex was built under Mussolini and served as a key venue during the 1960 Rome Olympics. Visitors to the Foro Italico are quickly drawn away by a marble obelisk at the entrance, followed by the majestic Hellenic stadium Stadio dei Marmi —surrounded by 60 white marble statues— and 13 tennis courts, including the iconic Campo Centrale.
Once again, Rome confirmed its status as a global magnet for tennis fans, offering what many consider the most beautiful tennis venue in the world, and this year displayed the very best of the sport’s new generation.
What lies ahead on the tennis calendar? Just seven days separate the Roman finale from the grandest stage in continental Europe: Roland Garros, which begins on 26 May. The Parisian rendezvous stands as the final —and most prestigious— chapter of the clay-court season, a defining milestone for those in pursuit of glory beneath the shadow of Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Contenders such as Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and the returning legend Novak Djokovic will all set their sights on reaching the final and dethroning the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz. In tremendous form and showing no signs of relenting, Alcaraz stands as the leading favourite to contest the crown on 8 June.
