It took a monumental five-hour and 29-minute battle with fellow rising star Jannik Sinner before Carlos Alcaraz could add the French Open title to his growing legend. His 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 win was nothing but stellar. That monumental match was held on June 11, 2023, at the French Open (Roland Garros). That made history in its own right, being the first ever Grand Slam final contested between two players born in the 21st century.
The match was a masterclass of mental fortitude, led by Alcaraz’s stunning resolve to come back from down two sets to win. Most notably, he saved three match points during the tense fourth set, showcasing his resiliency and precision when the stakes are highest. With this win, Alcaraz successfully defended his French Open title. It’s an extraordinary accomplishment, especially considering he snapped Sinner’s moment 20-match winning streak in ATP level events.
Alcaraz’s victory marks his fifth Grand Slam championship and his fifth straight victory against Sinner. From the start of the match, Alcaraz wowed the crowd with an astounding variety of shots, racking up 70 more winners than Sinner’s 53. The two players battled each other and harsh conditions to the brink, creating a new gold standard for future Grand Slam finals.
Tennis legends like Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova have commented on the match’s extreme level of play. John McEnroe expressed admiration, stating that Alcaraz and Sinner established a benchmark that even greats like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer might struggle to reach. It’s not that different from the way that Greg Rusedski and Sergi Bruguera expressed it. They referred to the showdown as one of the best they had ever seen.
With the tension running high, the fifth set was decided with an intense tiebreaker that Alcaraz completely crushed. He won the championship with a miraculous forehand down the line that capped off his victory. Sinner gave it everything and broke back immediately after Alcaraz served for the match at 5-4. Sadly, he just wasn’t great enough to resist the pressure from the 266-pounder in the end.
Alcaraz reflected on the match’s significance: “To say it was one of the greatest matches in the history of grand slams is really high status.” He highlighted the importance of sharing this moment with Sinner, stating, “I am sure you will be champion many, many times and it is a privilege to share the court with you and making history with you.”
Sinner, despite being understandably upset by the loss, was a model of grace under pressure in his post-match comments. He remarked, “It is easier to play than to talk right now… I won’t sleep tonight very well, but it’s OK.” His unrivaled sportsmanship drove home the deep mutual respect shared between the two competitors.
In recent years, both players have become inspirations for younger athletes across the world. Alcaraz expressed his admiration for Sinner during his post-match interview: “I’m just really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament, in other tournaments. You are a huge inspiration for everyone and myself.”
