Alcaraz successfully defends Roland-Garros championship by triumphing over Sinner in an historic, drawn-out final.
Who else could've taken down Jannik Sinner? The unstoppable force that was Jannik Sinner in the 2025 French Open tournament cracked under the pressure from his nemesis, Carlos Alcaraz, in the final on June 10. Despite a strong start, the Italian succumbed in a thrilling five-set battle (4-6, 6-7 [4-7], 6-4, 7-6 [7-3], 7-6 [10-2]) that lasted an astonishing 5 hours and 29 minutes, breaking the tournament's record for the longest final.
The Spaniard's victory marked his second French Open title, his fifth Grand Slam in merely five finals played, while the Italian faced his first defeat. The crowd roared "Si se puede" ("Yes you can do it" in Spanish) as Carlos Alcaraz stormed the court, believing in his own strength.
But things didn't go smoothly for the Spaniard against Jannik Sinner's mechanical game. The pressure heaped by the Italian made it difficult for Alcaraz to unleash his full potential. So, to disrupt Sinner's rhythm, Alcaraz knew he had to tire him out and force him into a grueling match. With an intense focus, the Spaniard found a solution and inched closer to the Italian.
Helped slightly by some unexpected doubles faults from Sinner in one game, giving him a crucial break, Alcaraz managed to win the third set. Tenacious, Sinner broke back, pushing Alcaraz to win the fourth set. Yet, the Spaniard wasn't discouraged, and he suddenly found the momentum he needed. Breaking Sinner again in the fourth set, Alcaraz saved three match points when Sinner held a commanding 5-3, 0-40 advantage. From there, nothing could hold back the Spanish chart-topper, who fought his way into a fifth set.
Jannik Sinner watched from the sidelines as Alcaraz gathered steam, putting on a spectacular show for the Chatrier spectators—shots they had come to witness. At times, the Italian seemed to be feeling the physical strain, having returned to competition in early May 2025 after a three-month suspension due to positive doping tests.
Frustrated by the three match points squandered, Sinner's usual composure wavered. Opposite him, Alcaraz, following his mantra of the three Cs ("Head, Heart, Balls"), never gave up and closed out points with remarkable precision.
In the fifth set, both men decided the spectators had not had enough entertainment for their money. They both played their best tennis simultaneously, hurling incredible shots at each other, stretching the final to a super tie-break, the first in a Roland-Garros final.
With a victor necessary in tennis, it was Alcaraz who emerged triumphant, dominating the super tie-break (10-2) with astonishing precision. At 22 years, one month, and three days old, he reigned as the newest Grand Slam title holder, having mirrored the age of Rafael Nadal when he won his fifth Major at Wimbledon in 2008.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Roland-Garros, contenders such as Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas could all have posed a threat to Sinner. All four possess the clay-court expertise and the experience to compete at the highest level.[1][5]
Additional Insights:
- Novak Djokovic, one of the most accomplished players in tennis, is a multiple Roland-Garros champion and remains a powerful force, especially in crucial matches.[1][3]
- Carlos Alcaraz, a budding superstar on tour, already boasts a major title and consistently poses a threat in Grand Slam finals, displaying a complete game that includes powerful groundstrokes and strong clay-court abilities.[1][3]
- Alexander Zverev is a consistent top-5 player with a formidable serve and baseline game, capable of competing effectively on clay.[1]
- Casper Ruud, a clay-court specialist and multiple Roland-Garros finalist, would bring impressive endurance and expertise to a final.[1][5]
- Stefanos Tsitsipas has demonstrated solid form on clay and in Grand Slam semifinals and finals, proving himself to be a worthy opponent on any surface.[1]
- In the world of French sports, tennis players like Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zveraz, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, with their impressive clay-court skills, could potentially challenge Jannik Sinner in future Roland-Garros tournaments.
- With his dominant performance at the 2025 French Open, beating Jannik Sinner in an epic five-set battle, Carlos Alcaraz has proven that he is a formidable force in the French tennis scene, joining the ranks of top players like Djokovic and Tsitsipas.
