Carlos Alcaraz staged a remarkable comeback to win the French Open title for the second consecutive year, overcoming Jannik Sinner in an epic final that lasted an astounding 5 hours and 29 minutes. The match concluded with scores of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) on Sunday, marking one of the most thrilling contests in the history of the tournament.
Historic comeback highlights Alcaraz’s resilience
Alcaraz, now a five-time Grand Slam champion, demonstrated incredible determination by coming back from two sets down. This victory not only reinforces his status in the sport but also parallels a legendary performance by Novak Djokovic, who achieved a similar feat in the 2021 final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“I’m just proud. I’m just really, really happy,” Alcaraz expressed after the match, acknowledging Sinner’s efforts: “I know how hard you are chasing this tournament. You’re going to be champion, not once, but many, many times.”
This final marked a bittersweet moment for Sinner, who experienced his first loss in a Grand Slam final. Despite the defeat, he remains a formidable adversary for Alcaraz, having now lost to him five times in their encounters.
Intensity and drama define the final showdown
The match’s intensity was palpable, as reflected in the narrow margin of points won—Sinner with 193 and Alcaraz with 192. The crowd was treated to a display of high-caliber tennis, with Sinner capturing his first match point after nearly four hours of play. However, the drama escalated when Alcaraz served for the championship at 5-4, only to face fierce resistance from Sinner.
With the pressure mounting, Sinner executed a breathtaking retrieval from an Alcaraz drop shot, earning himself a critical opportunity to level the match at 5-5. As the contest reached a nail-biting climax, Alcaraz skillfully forced a tiebreaker, where he quickly gained an upper hand, captivating the audience with a series of powerful shots.
Ultimately, Alcaraz sealed his victory with a stunning forehand down the line, collapsing onto his back in celebration. He then joyfully shared this special moment with his team, fully aware of the significance of this achievement.
In a show of sportsmanship, Sinner congratulated Alcaraz, saying, “I’m very happy for you, and you deserve it, so congrats. It’s an amazing trophy, so I won’t sleep tonight very well, but it’s okay.”