PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz summoned every ounce of resilience and flair on Sunday to defend his French Open title, outlasting Jannik Sinner in a five-set classic that marked a defining moment in the post-Rafael Nadal era at Roland Garros.
The 22-year-old Spaniard battled back from two sets down and saved three match points to defeat Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) in an electrifying contest that lasted five hours and 29 minutes — the longest final in French Open history. The victory secured Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam singles title and further cemented his reputation as the heir to Nadal’s clay court throne.
“I’m just really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament,” Alcaraz told Sinner during the trophy ceremony, lifting the Musketeers’ Cup to a standing ovation. “I’m sure you’re going to be champion not once, but many times. It’s a privilege to share the court with you.”
The match, hailed as one of the greatest finals in the Open Era, showcased the ferocity and finesse of two players born in the 2000s who are redefining the men’s game. The win was Alcaraz’s fifth consecutive victory over Sinner, ending the Italian’s 20-match winning streak at Grand Slam events.
Alcaraz became only the second man in the Open Era, after Roger Federer, to win his first five Grand Slam finals. Yet for the Spaniard, the symmetry with Nadal’s record loomed larger. “The coincidence of winning my fifth Grand Slam at the same age as Nadal — that’s destiny,” Alcaraz said. “It’s a stat I’m going to keep forever. It’s a huge honor. Hopefully it doesn’t stop here.”
Sunday’s final was the second-longest Grand Slam championship match of the Open Era and just the third time since 1968 that a player has saved a match point en route to winning a major final. Alcaraz joined the ranks of Gaston Gaudio (2004 French Open) and Novak Djokovic (2019 Wimbledon) with the rare feat.
Sinner, playing in his first major since returning from a three-month suspension for a doping violation, had appeared poised for victory. The top seed controlled the early stages with measured baseline pressure, taking the first set and prevailing in a tight second-set tiebreak. Up 4-1 in the second and later holding three match points at 5-3 in the fourth, Sinner seemed to have the match within his grasp.
But Alcaraz’s tenacity surfaced as he clawed back to win the third set and rallied from the brink in the fourth, leveling the match in another tense tiebreak. In the decider, both men exchanged breaks before Alcaraz pulled away in the super tiebreak, ultimately capturing his second consecutive Roland Garros title. Only Nadal and Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten have defended the crown this century.
“He was born to play these kinds of moments,” said Alcaraz’s coach, former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero. “Even when he was young in the challengers, he always went for it.”
For Sinner, who has already triumphed on hard courts with titles at the U.S. Open and Australian Open, the loss was a bitter one. “We tried our best today, we gave everything,” the 23-year-old said. “It’s an amazing tournament even though it’s very difficult now… I won’t sleep very well tonight but it’s okay.”
As Alcaraz collapsed to the clay in celebration, Sinner walked across the net to embrace him. The Spaniard then sprinted to the stands to share the moment with his team. The French Open’s official account on X summed up the mood: “CARLOS II, PRINCE OF CLAY.”
