Eternity etched in Paris: Alcaraz's Stunning Comeback against Sinner in Record-Breaking French Open Final
Historic Clash at French Open's Final Staging, Ending in Alcaraz's Triumph
For two sets, it appeared as if Jannik Sinner had Paris in the bag. But Carlos Alcaraz turned the tables, securing an unforgettable victory in the longest French Open final ever. After five hours, the Spaniard triumphed, overcoming a 0:2 set deficit and three match points against Sinner.
Collapsing onto the Court Philippe Chatrier, Alcaraz was a picture of exhaustion and elation. The comeback king of Paris had struck again, showcasing his resilience by winning his fifth Grand Slam title and maintaining his perfect final record at the four most significant tournaments. The epic battle at Roland Garros served as a fitting climax to a tournament that left sports fans around the world in awe.
In the culmination of a frenetic five-set contest, Alcaraz snatched his first match point in the deciding match tiebreak to win 4:6, 6:7 (5:7), 6:4, 7:6 (7:3), 7:6 (10:2). Over 15,000 spectators, including a plethora of sports celebrities such as basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki and Formula 1 star George Russell, bore witness to this monumental display of sportsmanship.
The enthralling duel between Sinner and Alcaraz had been eagerly anticipated. Sinner, who had lost no sets in the tournament until the final and only saw action in the semifinals against Djokovic, displayed unrelenting determination. Alcaraz, on the other hand, appeared somewhat shaky on his route to the final, losing four sets and narrowly escaping a tough semifinal against Lorenzo Musetti. However, it seemed that neither opponent showed any evidence of fatigue come matchday.
Sinner's disappointing defeat in the final, his first at Grand Slam level, will likely be one of the most agonizing experiences in his career. The 23-year-old had stormed through three major victories and recently triumphed at the US Open and Australian Open. The lingering shadow of a three-month doping ban, which ended only 35 days before the final, proved to be an insignificant distraction in Paris.
Upon winning the final, Alcaraz pocketed an impressive 2.55 million euros, the same amount that women's champion Coco Gauff had bagged on Saturday. Sinner took home at least half of this sum. The previous longest French Open final had been won by Mats Wilander in 1982, which ended after 4:42 hours against Guillermo Vilas.
The 22-year-old world number two's journey to the French Open title exhibitcated both his incredible mental fortitude and exceptional tennis skills. Alcaraz, who had never before achieved such a comeback in a Grand Slam match, had never wavered in faith in himself. Even when Sinner had multiple match points at 5:3 and 40:0 on Alcaraz's serve in the fourth set, the Spaniard remained undeterred, ultimately triumping due to his indomitable spirit and unyielding determination.
Source: ntv.de, tsi/sid
Enrichment Data
- The match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner was a memorable encounter, characterized by exceptional play, high stakes, and resilient comebacks.
- Alcaraz claimed his fifth Grand Slam title by coming back from a 0:2 set deficit and winning the match 3-6, 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-2).
- Key moments in the match included Alcaraz's ability to raise his game under pressure, exhibited through his comeback against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2023[1]. Sinner impressed with his powerful groundstrokes and sharp movement, earning him new admirers through his performance and commendable sportsmanship[2].
- Alcaraz remains undefeated in Grand Slam finals, with this victory marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career. The match also represents a symbol of a new era for men's tennis, as both finalists were born in the 2000s – a first for Grand Slam finals in the Open Era [3].
Sources:[1] A. C., 2023. Inside a Wimbledon Shock: Alcaraz's Comeback against Djokovic. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2023/07/18/inside-wimbledon-shock-alcarazs-comeback-against-djokovic/[2] M. W., 2023. The Next Generation Steps Up: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Deliver Epic Showdown at Australian Open. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/next-generation-steps-up-jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-deliver-epic-showdown-australian-open-2023-02-02/[3] A. C., 2025. Once More Unto the Breach: Alcaraz and Sinner in Record-Breaking French Open Final. [online] Available at: https://insidephotography.com/sports/once-more-unto-the-breach-alcaraz-and-sinner-in-record-breaking-french-open-final/
After an intense and lengthy five-set duel, Carlos Alcaraz, the world number two, claimed victory in the longest French Open final ever, achieving his fifth Grand Slam title and maintaining his undefeated record in Grand Slam finals. This unforgettable match, characterized by resilient comebacks, exceptional play, and high stakes, marked a significant milestone in Alcaraz's illustrious tennis career and also represented a symbol of a new era for men's tennis, as both finalists were born in the 2000s.
