Carlos Alcaraz pulled off a stunning comeback to win the French Open final, defeating Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller that lasted five hours and 29 minutes. The 22-year-old Spaniard rallied from two sets down to claim a 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) victory, saving three championship points in the fourth set.
It was the first time Alcaraz had come back from two sets down in a Grand Slam match.
The match has sparked widespread praise for its intensity, drama, and quality, with many comparing it to the greatest battles in tennis history. Alcaraz, however, is leaving that judgment to the public.
“If people put our match in that category, it’s a huge honour,” said Alcaraz, who now holds five Grand Slam titles. “I don’t know if it’s on the same level as the classics. I’ll let the people decide. I’m just happy our names are now part of Roland Garros history.”
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who had dominated the ATP Tour for the past year and a half, appeared to be in full control. The Italian led two sets to none and was up 5-3 in the fourth set, holding three match points on Alcaraz’s serve.
But the Spaniard showed resilience and heart.
“I wasn’t thinking about the score,” Alcaraz said. “I just put my heart into it, point by point. In the fifth set, it was about never giving up.”
Sinner, 23, was bidding for a third straight Grand Slam title after winning the US Open last year and defending his Australian Open crown in January. He entered the final without dropping a set and was in strong form despite a three-month doping suspension earlier this year. The French Open was only his second tournament since returning.
“Only making the final is difficult to accept now, but that’s the nature of sport,” said Sinner. “If you only focus on the sad part, you’ll never move forward. I’ve improved since last year. We keep pushing.”
This was Sinner’s first defeat in a major final, having won all three of his previous Grand Slam title matches. He plans to regroup by spending time with his family before turning to the grass-court season.
His mother, Siglinde, watched nervously from the stands at Court Philippe Chatrier. His father, Johann, a chef, couldn’t attend due to work but likely followed from afar.
“We’re just a simple family,” said Sinner. “Nothing changes that. Seeing my mum there was nice. My dad was probably watching on TV if he finished work.”
Reflecting on how far he’s come, Sinner admitted he never dreamed of reaching such heights.
“This hurts, yes,” he said. “But you can’t keep crying. That’s sport.”
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