Alcaraz saves three match points to stop Sinner and retain French Open crown
Carlos Alcaraz battled from the brink to outlast top seed Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) in a French Open final for the ages on Sunday to retain his crown and cement his status as the Prince of Clay in Roland-Garros' post-Rafa Nadal era.
In a scintillating showdown between the torchbearers of a new generation, the 22-year-old Alcaraz saved three match points in the fourth set to continue his dominance over Sinner with his fifth straight victory over the Italian.
'I want to start with Jannik. It is amazing the level you have,' said Alcaraz, only the second man in the professional era to win all of his first five Grand Slam singles finals after Roger Federer.
'Congratulations for an amazing two weeks. I'm pretty sure you're going to be champion not once, but many times. It's a privilege to share the court with you in every tournament, making history with you.
'I'm just really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament and in other tournaments.'
The duo, who have captured seven out of the last eight Grand Slams to stamp their authority on the men's tour, were locked in a fierce battle full of dramatic momentum shifts in the first major final between two men born in the 2000s.
Alcaraz showed his steely determination to win the epic in five hours and 29 minutes — the longest final at Roland Garros — soaking up the ovation from a thoroughly entertained Parisian crowd long used to Nadal's reign during his run of 14 titles.
Tense start
Sinner held serve in a tense five-deuce opening game lasting 12 minutes, but was broken when he fired a forehand wide, before hitting back from 2-3 and going on to snatch an intense first set following an unforced error by Alcaraz.
Relentless pressure from the baseline allowed Sinner to go a break up early in the second set, and the top seed began to apply the squeeze on Alcaraz, who was on the ropes, trailing 1-4 on a sunbathed Court Philippe Chatrier.
An aggressive Alcaraz came out fighting and drew loud cheers when he drew level after 10 games and then forced a tiebreak, but Sinner edged ahead with a blistering forehand winner and doubled his lead after the clock ticked past two hours.
Alcaraz, who had never come back from two sets down, battled hard in the hope of avoiding his first loss in a major final and pulled a set back before saving three match points at 3-5 down in the fourth set, later restoring parity via the tiebreak.
He traded breaks in the decider but prevailed in the super tiebreak to win the longest Paris men's final since tennis went professional in 1968, while Sinner had to digest a missed chance to add to his US and Australian Open wins after a doping case.
Alcaraz fell to the ground before Sinner went over to his side of the court to congratulate him, and the Spaniard then ran to the stands to hug his team and celebrate.
Sinner had a contemplative look, sitting on his bench, and was gracious in defeat.
'Carlos, congratulations on an amazing performance and an amazing battle. I'm happy for you. You deserve it,' he said.
'We tried our best today, we gave everything … an amazing tournament, even though it is very difficult right now. It is a big privilege for me to play here… I won't sleep very well tonight, but it is okay.'
Five Slams
Alcaraz has now won his five Grand Slam finals and handed Sinner his first defeat in a major final after the Italian claimed his first three at the Australian Open (2024 and 2025) and US Open (2024).
Alcaraz thanked the crowd for their support, which he said helped him throughout the tournament.
'Then, Paris, guys, I mean, you have been a really important support to me since the first practice, since the first round,' he said.
'You were unbelievable. You were insane for me. I mean, I just can't, can't thank enough, you know, to you for the great support during the whole week, for today's match.
'For today's match, you were really, really important. You are in my heart, and you'll always be in my heart. So, thank you. Thank you very much, Paris. And see you next year.'
Sinner was gracious in defeat.
'First of all, Carlos, congrats. An amazing performance, amazing battle, amazing job. I am very happy for you, you deserve it. It's easier to play than talking now,' said the 23-year-old Sinner, who was on a 20-match winning streak in the majors.
The two finalists, who have won seven of the last eight Grand Slams to stamp their authority on the tour, were locked in a fierce battle that mesmerised the 15,000 crowd.
'To my team, thank you so much for putting me in this position. We tried our best today. We gave everything we had. Some time ago, we would've signed to be here. Still an amazing tournament, even though it's very, very difficult right now,' said Sinner. DM
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He immediately appeals the suspension, which is lifted the following day; 17 April 2024: Sinner is notified of the second adverse finding. He again appeals the provisional ban, and it is upheld; 30 May 2024: The International Tennis Integrity Agency formally charges Sinner with anti-doping rule violations; 19 June 2024: Sinner's legal team submits detailed explanations, arguing inadvertent contamination due to Naldi's use of the spray and Sinner's skin condition; 15 August 2024: An independent tribunal hears Sinner's case while he is competing at the Cincinnati Open; 20 August 2024: News of the doping case is publicly revealed. The independent tribunal finds Sinner bore 'no fault or negligence' for the positive tests, effectively clearing him. He is stripped of prize money and points from Indian Wells; 23 August 2024: Sinner announces he is parting ways with both physiotherapist Naldi and fitness coach Ferrara; 26 September 2024: The World Anti-Doping Agency lodges an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the ITIA's 'no fault or negligence' ruling, seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner; 10 January 2025: CAS schedules a closed-doors hearing for the Wada appeal on 16 and 17 April 2025; 9 February 2025: Sinner's period of ineligibility (ban) officially begins, after he reaches a settlement agreement with Wada; 15 February 2025: Wada and Sinner announce a case resolution agreement, where Sinner accepts a three-month ban for the anti-doping rule violation. Wada withdraws its appeal to CAS. 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