Carlos Alcaraz solidified his legacy on clay after defeating World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a titanic five-set battle to win the French Open 2025, marking one of the greatest finals in tennis history. In a match that lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes, Alcaraz overcame a two-set deficit to win 4–6, 6–7 (4), 6–4, 7–6 (3), 7–6 (10-2), becoming the ninth man in the Open Era to come back from two sets down in a Grand Slam final.
This win marks Alcaraz’s second French Open crown and his fifth major title overall, further establishing him as the new ‘King of Clay’ and the spiritual successor to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. Despite Sinner’s blistering start and three championship points in the fourth set, Alcaraz dug deep to turn the tide, fueled by raw determination, crowd energy, and a masterclass in shot-making.
The match wasn’t just historic for its length it also signaled the start of a new golden rivalry in men’s tennis. With Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer now part of the sport’s rich past, Alcaraz and Sinner delivered a performance worthy of tennis’s elite pantheon. From Sinner’s relentless baseline aggression to Alcaraz’s dazzling creativity and defensive wizardry, the match offered everything modern tennis has to offer.
After going down two sets, Alcaraz altered his approach, increasing aggression and consistency. He broke early in the third set and carried that momentum to a fourth-set tie-break where he saved three championship points. Despite Sinner forcing a final set and even leveling the score at 5–5, Alcaraz finished strong, dominating the super tie-break 10–2.
In his post-match speech, Alcaraz paid tribute to Sinner, praising his rival’s talent and calling him an inspiration. The respect between the two was clear, despite the intense competition. “It is a privilege to share the court with you... we are making history together,” Alcaraz said.
Though Sinner did not emerge victorious, his performance confirmed his status as a deserving World No. 1. The Italian showed tenacity, power, and poise throughout the match, pushing Alcaraz to his physical and mental limits. But the Spaniard’s unmatched resilience and the ability to rise in key moments proved decisive on a night that left fans in awe. Alcaraz’s triumph in the longest-ever French Open final signals a shift in tennis’s power balance and promises a thrilling decade ahead.
