The two players have claimed seven of the last eight Grand Slams, emerging as the new leaders in the sport following the retirements of legends like Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal in recent years.
Alcaraz showcased remarkable determination to seal his victory in an epic battle lasting five hours and 29 minutes, marking it as the longest final in Roland Garros history.
Sinner began with a challenging opening game that extended to five deuces and lasted 12 minutes, ultimately hitting a forehand just wide. However, he quickly recovered from a 2-3 deficit, forcing an unforced error from Alcaraz.
His relentless baseline pressure allowed Sinner to gain an early break in the second set, extending his lead to 1-4 on a hot, sunny day in Paris.
The Spaniard fought back fiercely, earning cheers from the crowd as he leveled the match after 10 games, leading to a tiebreak where Sinner took the initiative with his powerful forehand, doubling his lead after two hours of play.
Alcaraz had never before rallied from two sets down in a Grand Slam final, but he battled to avoid his first loss in such a situation. He managed to take a set back and saved three match points while down 3-5 in the fourth set, eventually forcing another tiebreak.
In the end, Alcaraz triumphed in the super tiebreak, winning the longest men’s final in Paris since the sport turned professional in 1968. Sinner, coming off consecutive victories at the US and Australian Opens, couldn’t secure a third title in a row at this major.
First Published: Jun 9, 2025 12:39 AM IST
