October 29, 2025 : A dramatic twist in the race for the year-end men’s tennis world No. 1 has emerged following an unexpected turn of events at the 2025 Rolex Paris Masters. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz was stunned by Cameron Norrie (4-6, 6-3, 6-4), early in the tournament — handing his rival Jannik Sinner a clear pathway to reclaim the top ranking.
Sinner, currently ranked No. 2, now controls his own destiny: if he wins the Paris Masters title, he will surpass Alcaraz in the PIF ATP Rankings and become world No. 1 again. According to the ATP, Sinner will rise to the top spot if he claims the Paris crown.
What happened to Alcaraz
Alcaraz’s loss to Norrie not only ended his 17-match Masters 1000 winning streak but also severely dented his buffer at the top of the rankings. The Spaniard looked off-colour, committing large numbers of unforced errors, and admitted he “had no feeling at all” during the match.
Sinner’s opportunity
For Sinner, the path is simple but formidable: win the Paris title and he becomes No. 1. He did not compete in the Paris Masters last year, meaning he has no points to defend — giving him extra latitude to score big. Though he had previously stated “It’s impossible” to chase the top spot this year, the unexpected turn has re-opened the chance.
The numbers at play
- Before Paris, Alcaraz held around 11,250 points while Sinner had roughly 10,510.
- With Alcaraz’s early loss, the gap has narrowed and Sinner stands to overtake if he wins the title.
- If Sinner becomes No. 1, it might only be a short-lived reign — he is set to defend significant points at the season finale, whereas Alcaraz’s load is lighter.
Why this matters
Securing the world No. 1 spot is not just a number; it affects seeding, legacy and positioning ahead of major tournaments. Sinner returning to No. 1 would mark a significant statement in the current era of men’s tennis, where a handful of players dominate headlines. For Alcaraz, the early defeat raises questions about form and whether his position at the top is more vulnerable than it seemed.
What to watch
- Will Sinner navigate his way through Paris and claim the title?
- Will Alcaraz recover his form, come back strong in upcoming tournaments and defend his ranking crown?
- How will the battle for year-end No. 1 (and the live ranking tussle) play out between now and the season finale?
Summary
Carlos Alcaraz’s shock loss in Paris hands Jannik Sinner an opening to reclaim world No. 1 — the Italian just needs to win the Paris Masters title to overtake his rival.