PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz has a knack for turning around his fortunes in Grand Slam finals, and this time, he delivered a spectacular comeback that will be talked about for years to come.
In an unforgettable final at the French Open on Sunday, the Spanish sensation clawed his way back from two sets down, saving three match points to triumph over top-ranked Jannik Sinner with a score of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2). This remarkable feat marked his fifth major title in as many finals.
It was Alcaraz’s second consecutive comeback victory at Roland Garros, having previously rallied from behind against Alexander Zverev in last year’s final. This win also adds to his tally of three major titles secured from a deficit, including his thrilling five-set triumph against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2023.
“When the odds are stacked against you, fighting back is essential. This is a Grand Slam final; there’s no room for fatigue or surrender,” Alcaraz remarked. “Do I find joy in this? True champions are forged in such moments.”
With one of the most dramatic comebacks in French Open history, Alcaraz followed in the footsteps of Novak Djokovic, who famously overcame a two-set deficit in the 2021 final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“It was all about believing in myself today,” Alcaraz stated confidently.
With this victory, Alcaraz joined an exclusive club, becoming the ninth player in the Open Era to rally from two sets down to win a Grand Slam final. Previous legends like Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, and Rafael Nadal have accomplished the same feat.
This marked Sinner’s first loss in a Grand Slam final but came amid his fifth consecutive defeat to Alcaraz, who secured the 20th title of his blossoming career at just 22 years old.
Set a record as the longest French Open final in the Open Era, the match unfolded over 5 hours and 29 minutes, with Sinner edging out Alcaraz in total points won—193 to 192.
Yet, the numbers hardly tell the tale of the match’s drama.
After 3 hours and 43 minutes, Sinner found himself with his first match point. But surprisingly, as chaos unfolded, Alcaraz managed to serve for the title at 5-4 just over five hours into the match.
But the excitement didn’t cease there.
Sinner executed an astounding retrieval on an exquisite Alcaraz drop shot, placing the ball in the absolute sweetest spot and making it 15-40 with match points in his favor.
When Sinner leveled the game at 5-5, he relished the spotlight, getting tantalizingly close to victory two points away in the 12th game, as Alcaraz struggled at 15-30.
However, Alcaraz delivered an electrifying cross-court backhand to push the match into a tiebreaker, sending the crowd into a frenzy as he raced to a commanding 4-0 lead.
“Your support today has been phenomenal,” Alcaraz expressed his gratitude. “Throughout the entire tournament.”
Alcaraz sealed the victory with a phenomenal forehand down the line, collapsing onto his back in celebration and immediately rushing to embrace his team.
“I’m truly happy for you; you earned this. Congratulations!” Sinner said, acknowledging Alcaraz’s achievement. “What an incredible trophy. I might not sleep well tonight, but that’s alright.”
Sinner is likely to relive the ninth game of the fourth set as a haunting memory.
Facing three match points while serving to stay in the match at 5-3 down, Alcaraz was in a precarious position at 0-40.
When on the second match point, Alcaraz hit a backhand that just missed, followed by another unforced error, the score leveled at deuce.
The crowd erupted with chants of “Carlos, Carlos!” as he hit an ace, rewarding him with a standing ovation when he executed a stunning forehand to win the game, leveling the score at 5-5.
“Real champions never shy away from challenges, and that’s what allows me to perform my best during critical moments,” Alcaraz stated firmly.
Despite his disappointment, Sinner displayed remarkable sportsmanship, graciously granting Alcaraz a point that put him ahead in the 11th game.
As the chair umpire prepared to inspect an out-of-bounds call, Sinner urged her to stand down, affirming that Alcaraz’s shot had landed in.
This earned Sinner polite applause, but cheers reached a crescendo when Alcaraz clinched the fourth-set tiebreaker, leveling the match.
Fans were thrilled; an Alcaraz comeback was exactly what everyone had anticipated. They erupted with joy, cheering him on as he dazzled with remarkable drop shots and leapt for impressive cross-court forehand winners.
Alcaraz’s performance was nothing short of breathtaking—he struck 70 winners to Sinner’s 53. The Italian might have had that feeling of déjà vu echoing in his heart.
Alcaraz previously toppled Sinner in the semifinals of the French Open last year after coming back from 2-1 down, as well as defeating him in the Italian Open Final just a month prior.
Now boasting a stunning 22-1 record on clay this year, Alcaraz’s trajectory seems unstoppable.
Star-Studded Spectators Witness a Historic Final
As a gentle breeze swept through Court Philippe-Chatrier on a sunny day, a constellation of celebrities gathered to witness the epic showdown.
Among the notable attendees were Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, director Spike Lee, singer Pharrell Williams, Formula 1 star George Russell, and renowned rugby player Antoine Dupont, all anticipating an electrifying contest.
Though Sinner initially appeared likely to seize victory, the resilience of the second-ranked Alcaraz was palpable. After seizing the third set with a deft volley at the net, he celebrated passionately at the center of the court, shaking his fist in triumph.
This was just the beginning of what would become one of the most thrilling finals in French Open history.
