Why is Sinner's serve poor at the 2025 US Open?

In addition to Alcaraz's excellence, Sinner's decline in serving skills is said to be one of the main reasons leading to the loss in the 2025 US Open final in the early morning of September 8. Why did Sinner have such difficulty with serving skills?

Sinner's first serve was quite bad at the 2025 US Open final - Photo: REUTERS

Jannik Sinner's defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2025 US Open final was more than just an ordinary loss.

Experts are analyzing this match and pointing out that one of the main reasons is the sudden decline in the Italian's serving skills. Sinner's serves became less powerful and less damaging, causing him to lose the advantage over the Spaniard. Why is that?

According to an in-depth analysis from an Italian TV channel, the cause comes from strategic changes in Sinner's serving technique, although it may negatively affect his short-term performance.

The analysis pointed out three core differences in Sinner's serve at the 2025 US Open compared to 2024.

First of all, Sinner changed his pace, immediately shifting his body weight back as soon as he prepared to serve, instead of slowly like in 2024.

Next, Sinner actively adjusted his wrist and grip: his wrist no longer rotated and bent as much. Instead, the grip was held straighter and closer to his body.

Italian TV station compared the difference in Sinner's serve between the last 2 years - Video : Social Network X

And finally, the Italian player adjusted his landing position to be more straight and stable, no longer leaning to the left as before.

These adjustments were not easy. Sinner repeatedly changed his serving stance, from a pin-point stance (back foot moved closer to the front foot) to a platform stance (back foot held in place) and then back again. The constant change took a toll on his body, causing instability in his movements and reducing the effectiveness of his serves.

Although these changes directly contributed to Sinner's defeat at the US Open, experts still consider this a bold and necessary decision. In the long run, once Sinner has fully adapted, these adjustments are expected to help him become a more complete and unpredictable player.

After a 1-3 defeat to Alcaraz in the 2025 US Open final, Sinner also lost the world No. 1 position to Alcaraz.

TUAN LONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-sinner-giao-bong-kem-tai-us-open-2025-20250908143216447.htm