Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz made a stunning comeback from two sets down—saving three championship points along the way—to defeat Jannik Sinner in a remarkable men’s singles final at the French Open.
Carlos Alcaraz becomes only the eighth man in the Open era to win consecutive French Open titles.
Alcaraz seemed to be losing his grip on the Roland Garros clay when world number one Sinner was just one game away from victory at 5-3 in the fourth set.
However, the 22-year-old Spaniard displayed incredible determination to claim victory with scores of 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), and 7-6 (10-2) after five hours and 29 minutes—the longest final in French Open history.
In an exciting atmosphere on Court Philippe Chatrier, Alcaraz delivered one of the best performances of his career to secure his fifth major title.
During his victory speech, he praised Sinner by saying, “The level you have is amazing. It is a privilege to share a court with you in every tournament and in making history.”
Alcaraz is now the first man to win a Grand Slam title after saving a match point since Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final of 2019.
Before this match, the world number two had never won after losing the first two sets.
Sinner, who was aiming for his first title at Roland Garros, fell short of achieving his third consecutive major title after a tough and thrilling battle.
“It’s easier to play than talk right now,” said the 23-year-old, who was competing in only his second tournament after serving a three-month ban for failing two doping tests.
“I’m still happy with this trophy—I might not sleep well tonight, but that’s okay.”
“Is it an all-time great match? I’ll let others decide.”
The first Grand Slam showdown between the two leading players on the ATP Tour was highly anticipated—and it exceeded expectations.
Both Alcaraz and Sinner pushed their limits in an exciting match that highlighted their incredible skills, athleticism, and determination.
Their captivating rivalry is quickly becoming a lasting battle that could leave a mark on the sport.
This matchup has everything—a wealth of talent, thrilling games on major stages, and a mix of personalities.
Alcaraz, known for his daring style, passion, and bright smile, has always been a crowd favorite who connects with millions of fans.
Even during tough moments against Sinner, he played freely—perhaps too much for his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero—while encouraging the Paris crowd to make more noise.
The audience responded enthusiastically as Alcaraz displayed the heart and bravery he’s famous for, along with his powerful returns and impressive skills.
Most of the 15,000 fans were on their feet after every point in an exciting finale where both players delivered exceptional shots that often amazed everyone.
Alcaraz started strong in the first-to-10 match tie-break of the final set, draining every bit of energy from Sinner before winning with an incredible running forehand winner that zipped down the line.
He collapsed onto his back just as Sinner made his way around the net for a warm hug.
Somehow, Alcaraz found the energy to dash off the court and climb into the stands to celebrate with Ferrero, who won the French Open in 2003, along with his team and family.
Both players received enthusiastic applause as they accepted their trophies after the second longest major final ever.
Sinner has made it to the finals of both the Rome and French Opens in his last two tournaments, but he lost both matches to Alcaraz.
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Over the past 18 months, Sinner has stood out as a top player on the ATP Tour, showcasing a style of tennis that reminds fans of 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic at his best.
The calm Italian seems unfazed by anything that happens on or off the court, even with the controversy surrounding his doping case that shook the sport.
Sinner reached an agreement for a three-month ban with the World Anti-Doping Agency soon after he defended his Australian Open title in January. This meant he did not miss any Grand Slam tournaments and was able to play at Roland Garros.
On his way to his first French Open final, Sinner didn’t lose a single set and was broken only three times in six matches—the fewest since Spanish legend Rafael Nadal in 2012.
However, during his match against Alcaraz, he faced immediate pressure on his serve, including a lengthy 12-minute opening game.
The quality of Sinner’s serving fluctuated throughout the match, but hitting only 54% of his first serves overall was an important detail.
As a result, Alcaraz broke him seven times and dominated Sinner’s second serve during the final-set tie-break.
Some questioned whether Sinner could keep up if the match lasted long since he is still early in his comeback. However, he proved himself in what became the longest match of his career.
Afterward, he spoke to his team saying, “We tried our best today. We gave everything we had.”
“Some time ago, we would have loved to be here so it’s still been an amazing tournament.”
