The most outstanding tennis match of the current season was displayed by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on Championship Sunday at Roland Garros.
Sinner appeared to be on track for his first French Open title; however, after five hours and 29 minutes, we witnessed an outcome that was nearly impossible.
The first 5th set tiebreak at this year’s Roland Garros, featuring a 10-point tiebreak with a requirement to win by two points.
In the tiebreak, Alcaraz became a different animal and the same beast. Striking the ball the best he had all match of the five-hour cinematic match at one point up 7-0 in the final set tiebreak.
Alcaraz successfully defended his title after overcoming a two-set deficit, winning three consecutive sets to defeat the top-ranked Sinner with scores of 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 and saved three match points. His remarkable achievement includes overcoming significant odds to retain his championship.
“I don’t know what I did, I don’t know what happed. 5-3 in the fourth set, love 40, I didn’t think about anything else, I just went point after point and just put my heart into it,” Alcaraz said. “I put all my energy into it, I tried not to give up. We are in the final of a grand slam it was not time to be afraid, time to give up. I tried to fight to until last ball.”
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This marked his second consecutive French Open title, achieved through a notable comeback after trailing 2-1 in sets to Alexander Zverev in last year’s final, and his third major title obtained from a behind position, following his five-set victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final.
“This match ranks first place, this match is the first match that I came back from two set to love down,” Alcaraz added. “It was at a better location. It was the final against the number one player in the world Jannik to come back two sets to love down. This is the best match that I have played in Grand Slam history in my career. I am proud that this happened.”
Alcaraz secured his fifth major title shortly after celebrating his 22nd birthday.
“I hope the people enjoyed it as well,” Alcaraz added. “It was a pretty good match to enjoy.”
Alcaraz recorded 70 winners, compared to 53 for Sinner.
Sinner is currently ranked number one globally; however, Alaraz has defeated him in their last five consecutive matches.
Alcaraz successfully defended three championship points in the fourth set to stay competitive and forced Sinner to serve to win the match. His remarkable effort to level the score at five-all in the fourth set resulted in a tiebreak. This impressive comeback by Alcaraz is considered one of the most notable in French Open history. Given their rankings as the top two male tennis players in the world, such performances are unsurprising.
“It was difficult on my mind and body. There were situations in the match my body felt like it could not handle it anymore,” Alcaraz said. “Cramps and low energy, in those moments it was a time to think positive, to think you can overcome those problems, to think you are ready to play more hours, and to believe in yourself. That was the key to believe in myself all the time.”
The fifth set determined the outcome. Both players demonstrated skill, athleticism, and determination, but it was Alcaraz who ultimately emerged victorious at Roland Garros.
“This one hurts, there is not so much to talk about right now,” Sinner said. “I am happy how we are improving everyday. Trying to put myself in these type of positions. It was a very high level match. Happy to be a part of this but the final result hurts.”
The final match of the French Open was the longest in the Open Era, with a duration of 5 hours and 29 minutes. Currently, the only longer final in major tournaments is the 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The match was highly competitive, with Sinner securing 193 points and Alcaraz close behind with 192.
Alcaraz’s record in five-set matches is 12-1, with a 3-0 performance at Roland Garros. Additionally, he defeated Sinner in a five-set match during last year’s semifinals.
Both players remained on the court throughout the duration of the match, with no bathroom breaks or medical intervention required.
It was the first Roland-Garros men’s singles final to require a fifth-set tiebreak.
Photos/RolandGarros/X
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