Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph at the 2025 US Open was defined not just by his second title in New York—his sixth Grand Slam overall—but by his habitual integration of audacious, spectacular shot-making throughout the tournament. While his victory in the final against rival Jannik Sinner was marked by powerful forehands and sustained dominance, it was his earlier matches that delivered the viral “hot shots.” From a daring behind-the-back flick to a sublime, low-contorting pick-up volley, the young Spaniard consistently deployed his trademark flair, reminding fans that his exceptional athleticism is paired with a fearlessness to play the seemingly impossible. These moments of genius solidified his reputation as the premier entertainer and champion in the men’s game.
The Signature Behind-the-Back Moment
One of the most talked-about shots of the tournament occurred during Alcaraz’s fourth-round match against France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
Finding himself wrong-footed and running past a looping short ball, Alcaraz responded with a moment of pure instinctual genius. Rather than conceding the point, he quickly wrapped his racket around his body and executed a behind-the-back flick up the line. The improvised, high-risk shot not only landed in play but startled Rinderknech into hitting the subsequent volley into the net, sealing the point for Alcaraz. The spectacular moment—which Alcaraz later confessed to practicing occasionally—drew a massive roar from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, perfectly embodying the “showman” element of the Spaniard’s game that resonates so strongly with the New York audience.
Mastery of the Drop Shot and Volley
Beyond the flash, Alcaraz demonstrated his refined all-court game, utilizing the drop shot and difficult volleys with surgical precision, even in the championship final.
In the final against Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz showcased an “insane” touch drop shot that required subtle control and perfect disguise, a key weapon he uses to disrupt the rhythm of powerful baseliners. Furthermore, in his quarterfinal win against Jirí Lehečka, he produced a stunning piece of defensive-turned-offensive play. After being pushed deep, he lunged low to his left, managing to contort his body to hit a sublime, low pick-up volley that died instantly upon hitting the court. These shots demonstrated the incredible dexterity, core strength, and quickness that allows Alcaraz to turn defensive scrambles into outright winners, solidifying his status as a complete, all-court player.
The Power Play: Forehand Dominance in the Final
While the trick shots garnered attention, the foundation of Alcaraz’s second US Open title was the relentless, venomous power he generated with his forehand, particularly in the final against Sinner.
In their third consecutive Grand Slam final, Alcaraz started the match with “frightening sharpness,” breaking Sinner early with a series of thunderous, accurate forehands. He consistently sought to run around his backhand to unleash the inside-out forehand, which he used to command the court and force his Italian rival onto the defensive. He closed out his quarterfinal against Lehečka with a blistering forehand cross-court winner, epitomizing his ability to step inside the baseline and take the decisive strike with power and confidence when the match was on the line.
Reclaiming World No. 1 and Legacy
Alcaraz’s 2025 US Open victory, achieved without dropping a single set before the final, reaffirmed his place at the apex of men’s tennis.
By defeating the defending champion Jannik Sinner in the final, Alcaraz not only claimed his second US Open and sixth overall Grand Slam title but also reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking from the Italian. At just 22 years old, he became the second youngest man in the Open Era to win six Grand Slam titles, showcasing a maturity that belies his age. The tournament will be remembered for its thrilling competitive tension against Sinner and the sheer spectacle of the behind-the-back shot, cementing Alcaraz’s reputation as the player who seamlessly blends efficiency, power, and theatrical flair.
