Epic tiger battle, Alcaraz and Sinner together set an 'unbelievable' record

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have engaged in many thrilling matchups within just under six months.

After the 2025 US Open final, not only did Carlos Alcaraz's championship attract attention, but the ball he used to finish the match also became a highlight by setting an auction record.

At Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner met for the third consecutive time in a Grand Slam final. These two young players are creating the most exciting rivalry in modern tennis. While Alcaraz won Roland Garros and Sinner claimed Wimbledon, this third encounter ended with a 3-1 victory for Carlitos, earning him his sixth Major singles title and reclaiming the world No. 1 spot.

The match-winning ace that sealed Alcaraz’s glory also sparked a rare auction story. The championship-point ball was authenticated by Sotheby’s representatives, removed from the court, and prepared for auction.

During the online auction from September 4 to 23, this historic ball sold for $88,900, making it the most expensive tennis ball ever publicly sold. For comparison, the official US Open ball sets at the store cost only $10.

Additionally, the women’s singles championship ball used by Aryna Sabalenka to defeat Amanda Anisimova sold for $4,064.

This auction featured a total of 29 items, mostly balls, rackets, and apparel from top players. Notably, the Nike Vapor 12 shoes worn by Alcaraz in the semifinal against Novak Djokovic, signed by Carlitos, sold for $57,150, while the match-point ball from that semifinal went for $31,750.

Naomi Osaka was also present, with her signed racket from the semifinal loss to Anisimova fetching $16,510. The custom purple Nike dress Osaka wore in the quarterfinals sold for $15,240.

Other notable items included Sinner’s match shirt ($7,620), Iga Swiatek’s white ON shirt ($6,350), along with shoes and matching apparel.

Related articles

Alcaraz’s $2 million 2025 US Open prize money ‘disappears without a trace’ This year’s US Open season saw champions receive record prize money, but their actual take-home amounts were significantly reduced. See more