Carlos Alcaraz produced one of the most dramatic comebacks in tennis history to defend his French Open title in an epic five-set thriller against Jannik Sinner. In a match lasting five hours and 29 minutes the longest French Open final in the Open Era Alcaraz battled back from the brink of defeat, saving three championship points to ultimately triumph 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2).
Trailing two sets to love and down 0-40 on his serve at 3-5 in the fourth set, Alcaraz dug deep and refused to give in. In that moment of immense pressure, he displayed incredible composure, reeling off five straight points to hold serve and eventually force a fifth set. His relentless energy, mental toughness, and fearless shot-making swung the momentum in his favor as he completed one of the greatest turnarounds ever seen on the Parisian clay.
Even with his back against the wall, Alcaraz never stopped believing in his ability to change the course of the match. He maintained faith through every point, even when the odds were stacked heavily against him. For him, the match wasn’t over until the very last point was played.
“The match is not finished until he wins the last point,” he said afterward. “Even facing match points, I just thought, ‘One point at a time.’ I’ve seen others do it save match points and go on to win a Grand Slam. I just wanted to be one of those players.”
At 22 years old, Alcaraz now holds five Grand Slam titles and continues to cement his place among the sport’s elite. This latest triumph is arguably his most impressive, not just for the sheer drama of the contest but also because of the level of play it demanded.
“There were a few moments when the level was insane,” he reflected. “Jannik was playing unbelievably moving so well, hitting incredible shots. There were times I didn’t know what more I could do. He was practically not missing. The level of tennis was really, really high.”
Sinner, the world No. 1 and tournament favorite, was equally brilliant for much of the match. His calm, clinical baseline play and consistent depth looked set to carry him to a maiden French Open title. For two and a half sets, he was in control, dictating rallies and keeping Alcaraz on the run. But the match turned not just on skill but on grit and resilience.
The loss was difficult for Sinner to take, especially having come so close to victory. However, he was gracious in defeat and optimistic about the future. He acknowledged the emotional weight of the match but also emphasized the growth he’s experienced as a player.
“It’s tough to accept because I had lots of chances,” he said. “But that’s sport. You win some, you lose some. Today I lost, but if you only focus on the sad part, you’ll never come back. I believe I’ve improved since last year, and that’s something to build on. So we keep pushing.”
This match will go down as a classic an embodiment of the drama, unpredictability, and brilliance that tennis can offer. Both players showcased not only their technical mastery but also immense character. For Alcaraz, it was another step in an already legendary rise. For Sinner, a hard lesson, but one that may one day lead to even greater victories.
