Highlights from Carlos Alcaraz‘s 5th tiebreaker victory against Jannik Sinner during the thrilling and record-breaking French Open Men’s Finals were truly significant.
Let’s get into it: Anyone concerned about the future of men’s tennis in the post-Big 3 era can breathe a sigh of relief. Alcaraz and Sinner delivered five and a half hours of compelling tennis on Sunday, indicating that the sport is in capable hands.
Take it from the authority of Roger Federer, a retired champion with 20 Grand Slam titles. Alongside Rafael Nadal (22 majors) and Novak Djokovic (24), he declared “three winners in Paris today” and shared on social media, labeling the clash between Alcaraz and Sinner as “a beautiful game of tennis. What a match!”
No. 1 Sinner and No. 2 Alcaraz to Renew Their Rivalry at Wimbledon
This was the 12th meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner, and their first in a major final.
“Hopefully, it’s not the last one,” Alcaraz noted. “Every time we face off… we elevate the level of play.”
Many of these matches arrive unexpectedly, likely soon, as they gear up for Wimbledon starting June 30th. Alcaraz is the two-time defending champion.
His stunning comeback against No. 1 Sinner, coming back from two sets down and three championship points against him, resulted in a win of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2). This unprecedented feat at Roland Garros was unforgettable. Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, encapsulated his star player’s best qualities, stating, “His strength lies in maintaining belief until the last point.”
Carlos Alcaraz Achieves Five Grand Slam Titles at Age 22
At just 22, Alcaraz has already claimed five Grand Slam titles, the same age at which Nadal, Bjorn Borg, and Pete Sampras each also achieved five. No one has done it quite like him—highlighting his extraordinary talent. His pristine 5-0 record in major finals sets a pace with only Federer’s 7-0 standing ahead of him.
Sinner has also been impressive. He marks the one-year anniversary of his top ranking and reached the final in his last eight tournaments—a feat last accomplished by Djokovic a decade ago. He has won three majors and boasts a remarkable record of 47 wins out of his last 50 matches.
Intriguingly, all three of his losses were against—yes, you guessed it—Alcaraz, reminiscent of when Federer dominated everyone except Nadal.
Sinner held 31 consecutive sets in slam matches until he faced Alcaraz, where he led 2-0.
Anyone witnessing the action on Court Philippe-Chatrier knows that Alcaraz vs. Sinner is a must-watch.
“The level of play,” Alcaraz remarked, “was insane.”
Alcaraz and Sinner Claim the Last Six Grand Slam Titles
What’s Sinner’s take?
“I’m thrilled to be part of this,” expressed the 23-year-old Italian. “If I had… I would be even happier with a major trophy.”
Like any legendary rivalry—think Evert vs. Navratilova, or Borg vs. McEnroe, or Federer vs. Nadal—Alcaraz vs. Sinner presents a fascinating contrast in styles.
Alcaraz exudes emotion, pumps his fist, and encourages the crowd, while Sinner’s lengthy limbs allow him to reach almost every shot. Alcaraz’s speed is unmatched, matching his legendary drop shots with Sinner’s pure ball striking. Their powerful groundstrokes leave the audience holding their breath.
Both players have areas for growth. Sinner has yet to win a match lasting over four hours, while Alcaraz sometimes battles concentration.
Both are eager to improve. After returning from a three-month doping ban, Sinner unveiled a new, angular return stance. Alcaraz has adjusted his serving and backhand techniques.
Who knows how high they can soar? They’ve split six of the last slam trophies and captured eight of the past 11.
Roger Federer Predicted a New Era of Champions
Federer foresaw this shift.
During an interview with the Associated Press in December 2019, Federer predicted that new champions would emerge following the legacy of Nadal and Djokovic. He wasn’t aware of just how the Big 2 would influence the sport.
“It’s going to happen inevitably,” Federer stated. “That’s not too difficult… maybe… players recognized our accomplishments and understood that greatness doesn’t occur every 30 years.”
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Paris AP Sports Writer Jerome Pugmia contributed to this report.
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Howard Fendrich has been covering tennis for the Associated Press since 2002. Read more of his work https://apnews.com/author/howard-fendrich. More AP tennis coverage is available at https://apnews.com/hub/tennis.
Source: apnews.com