Alcaraz, 22, had his back against the wall but saved three match points in the fourth set and went on to win with 3–2 in sets – 4–6, 6–7 (4–7) 6–4, 7–6 (7–3), 7–6 (10–2).
After more than five hours of intense competition, everything was boiled down to who would win the supertiebreaker (first to ten won balls).
There, Sinner had nothing to set against. Alcaraz went on to 7–0 and lost only two balls on the way to his second consecutive victory trophy. In a beautiful gesture, the finalists hugged each other, probably fully aware that they had presented one of the greatest grand slam finals in sports.
Spaniard's fine words
Alcaraz was big as a person in one of his greatest moments as a player.
I'm pretty sure you're going to become a champion here, not just once but several times. It's a privilege to share the court with you and make history with me, says Alcaraz.
Sinner, 23, had the chance to win his first title in the French Championships – and with it his third consecutive grand slam victory after his triumphs in the US Open in the fall and the Australian Open in January.
He was laughably close – but still so far away.
It was easier to play than to talk now. We both did our best, we gave everything we had. I won't sleep well tonight, but it's okay, says Sinner.
He had three match points at a 5–3 lead in the fourth set and 40–0 in Alcaraz's serve, but the Spaniard showed enormous mental strength and won the balls needed to get out of the seemingly hopeless situation.
He then broke Sinner's serve and won the tiebreaker.
In the fifth set, Alcaraz went on to 3–1, but Sinner had more to give. When the Spaniard served for the match, the Italian broke and went on to 6–5.
Wilander is enchanted
Both players fed on phenomenal shots of absolute world class right to the end. Alcaraz held his serve with difficulty to 6–6 – and then put the nail in the tiebreaker.
One of those enchanted on the arena was Mats Wilander, whose first victory in the French Championships came in 1982 against the Argentine Guillermo Vilas. That final – which lasted four hours and 42 minutes – stood for 43 years as the longest in the tournament.
This was Carlos Alcaraz's fifth grand slam title in his career and after defending his title in Paris, the same task awaits him in London later in the summer. Then he enters as reigning champion in Wimbledon – in search of his sixth grand slam title.
Henrik Skiöld/TT
Facts: Carlos Alcaraz
TT
Born: May 5, 2003.
Nationality: Spanish.
World ranking: Second.
Grand slam titles in career: US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2023, 2024, French Championships 2024 and 2025.
Current: Won the final in the French Championships with 3–2 in sets against world number one Jannik Sinner.
Head-to-head meetings with Sinner: 8–4 in Carlos Alcaraz's favor.
Source: ATP's website
