Carlos Alcaraz has clinched another French Open title, defeating Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller in Paris.
Rafael Nadal has congratulated Alcaraz on his win over Jannik Sinner in the Roland Garros final, which he won 4-6, 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 7-6(7-3), 7-6(10-2).
Alcaraz saved three championship points during the dramatic tie, which lasted almost five-and-a-half hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Sinner has congratulated Alcaraz on his success, which is his second at the French Open and fifth Grand Slam title.
He denied the ATP number one a fourth career Grand Slam title, with Sinner having just enjoyed his longest run at the clay-court tournament.
Mats Wilander says if Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner was the greatest match ever
Their performances have now left many significant tennis figures in awe, with former world number one Mats Wilander saying on TNT Sports: “I have seen [Roger] Federer and Nadal and they have played a couple of good finals but nothing comes close to this one to me.
“Because the anticipation was so high, especially from my side, because I witness their matches and I always think this is not possible, they are playing at a pace that is not human.
“These are two of the best athletes that the human race can put forward and they happen to be tennis players, so the pride I feel and the honour of having played this sport and hopefully having inspired a generation after mine and then the next generation by inspired, to this point with these two warriors. I am not speechless often, I am not speechless now, but what an unbelievable day.”
Tim Henman ranks Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz French Open final
There were many twists and turns at the French Open as ever, throughout both the men’s and women’s events.
But Sinner and Alcaraz both reaching the final was a likely outcome, with the duo sitting first and second respectively in the ATP rankings.
But arguably nobody could have predicted the pair would play out such a thrilling and entertaining match.
It does, of course, deserve to be at least compared to the unforgettable Australian Open men’s final back in 2012.
That also involved the top two seeds, with Novak Djokovic defeating Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 7–5.
At five hours and 53 minutes, it remains the longest Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era, and has gone down in tennis history along with the likes of Nadal’s 2008 Wimbledon final win over Federer.
Former player-turned-coach Mark Petchey shared his take on the latest classic, saying of Sinner versus Alcaraz: “I think I will still edge for the Australian Open in 2012 but any final that enters into the top five of your memory bank is an awesome, awesome occasion.
“Indelible images, the fact he came from two sets to love down, a break down in the third set, the loss of serve when he was serving for it. The narrative of that match will live in the memory bank and be talked about for decades to come.”
Continuing the discussion, former British number one Tim Henman said: “Most definitely [top five of all time].
“I was lucky enough to be in the commentary box for Federer vs Nadal in 2008 at Wimbledon and we have the luxury of different surfaces and challenges at different tournaments. But absolutely up there with one of the best matches that I have ever seen.”
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