Carlos Alcaraz delivered one of the most extraordinary comebacks in tennis history on Sunday, rallying from two sets down and saving three championship points to defeat Jannik Sinner in an epic French Open final that spanned five hours and 29 minutes, the longest Roland Garros final on record.
The 22-year-old Spaniard triumphed 4–6, 6–7 (4), 6–4, 7–6 (3), 7–6 (10–2) in a breathtaking clash that showcased the future of men’s tennis. In doing so, Alcaraz claimed his fifth Grand Slam title and maintained his perfect record in major finals, becoming the third-youngest man in history to reach that milestone — behind only legends Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal.
It marked the first time Alcaraz had come back from two sets down in his career and came against the world number one, who had been riding a 20-match winning streak in Grand Slam play. Sinner, chasing a third straight major title following victories at the 2023 US Open and 2024 Australian Open, came agonisingly close but fell short in his first Roland Garros final.
This was also the first Grand Slam final in men’s tennis contested by two players born in the 2000s — a symbolic passing of the torch in an era transitioning beyond the dominance of Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic. The match, filled with drama, physicality, and jaw-dropping shot-making, proved these two are ready to carry the sport forward.
Sinner started strong, taking the first two sets and appearing firmly in control. But Alcaraz, known for his fighting spirit, dug deep. He clawed his way back to take the third and forced a tiebreak in the fourth, where he held his nerve to level the match.
In the deciding set, with both players visibly drained, Alcaraz seized control in the final super tiebreak, blowing past Sinner 10–2 to secure victory.
The win extends Alcaraz’s dominance over his rival, improving his head-to-head record to 8–5. It was also a sweet repeat of his victory over Sinner in Rome earlier this year — the Italian’s return from a three-month doping suspension.
As Alcaraz collapsed to the clay in triumph, the tennis world witnessed the crowning of not just a Roland Garros champion, but a generational force whose blend of power, flair, and resilience continues to captivate.
What you should know
Carlos Alcaraz won the 2025 French Open in the longest final in tournament history, beating Jannik Sinner in five sets. It was his first-ever comeback from two sets down and his fifth Grand Slam title, putting him behind only Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal as the youngest men to reach that milestone.
