By Isha - Jun 09, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jannik Sinner in a historic five-set final at Roland Garros, marking the longest French Open final. Alcaraz clinches his fifth Grand Slam title in a thrilling comeback, maintaining a perfect major finals record. The epic rivalry between the two players is gaining recognition as a defining one of their generation, with analysts drawing comparisons to past legendary match-ups. The match is celebrated for its tight contest and mutual respect between the players.
Jannik Sinner (L) shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz via Reuters
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On Sunday, June 8, 2025, in one of the most dramatic finals in history, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner once again ignited their fast-growing and electrifying rivalry at Roland Garros. The battle, which lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes, became the longest final in French Open history.
Sinner, the current World No. 1, came out sharp and composed, winning the first two sets (6‑4, 7‑6) and even holding three championship points in the fourth set. But Alcaraz responded with a monumental comeback, leveling the match and forcing a deciding fifth set that ended in a tense tiebreak (7‑6, 7‑6).
With this epic win, Alcaraz defended his title, claiming his fifth Grand Slam and maintaining a perfect 5‑0 record in major finals. Meanwhile, Sinner suffered his first defeat in a Grand Slam final, despite being undefeated in majors earlier in the year. Their head-to-head now stands at 8‑4 in favor of Alcaraz, including 3‑1 in Grand Slams.
This rivalry, which began in 2021 and has now produced 12 thrilling encounters, is being hailed as the defining one of this generation. Dubbed “The New Two”, the pairing combines Alcaraz’s explosive creativity with Sinner’s surgical precision. From the iconic 2022 US Open quarterfinal (where Alcaraz saved match points to win) to the Rome Masters 1000 final and now this Paris epic, their duels have already become modern classics.
Following the final, former champions and analysts compared the showdown to legendary rivalries of the past. As the golden generation of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic fades, this matchup is being touted as one of the best matches in recent tennis history.
The stats underscore the tightness of the contest: 70 winners from Alcaraz to Sinner’s 53, 193 total points to 192, and historic drama. It was the first Grand Slam final ever to be decided by a tiebreak in the fifth set. Beyond the numbers, what sets this rivalry apart is mutual respect. Alcaraz humbly admitted, “Jannik is the best player,” while Sinner, despite heartbreak, showed admiration for his rival’s unbreakable spirit.
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