Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz battled it out in a legendary French Open final earlier this month.
The world’s top two players had shared the last five Grand Slams before the French Open, but hadn’t played each other in a Major final.
When Sinner beat Novak Djokovic and Alcaraz beat Lorenzo Musetti, that changed, as they prepared for their first Grand Slam final clash.
The match lived up to all of the hype and then some, as Alcaraz beat Sinner after five hours and 29 minutes.
Fans and pundits have spent the last few weeks discussing where the final ranks among the all-time classics.
Naomi Osaka’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has now weighed in with his thoughts, as he strongly disagrees with what some people have said about the final.
Patrick Mouratoglou disagrees with people claiming French Open final wasn’t ‘top five all-time’
Talking on Instagram, Mouratoglou reacted to suggestions that Alcaraz and Sinner aren’t ‘icons’ and therefore their Roland Garros final shouldn’t be ranked in the top-five all-time.
“This Roland Garros final between [Carlos] Alcaraz and [Jannik] Sinner is in the top five of the best finals of all time without any doubt,” he said.
“People say that this final is not in the top five, because they consider [Roger] Federer, [Novak] Djokovic, [Rafael] Nadal are icons, so it brings something extra.
“But those two guys are going to be icons, first of all, I can for sure 100% [guarantee that]. Take away the idea of the stars who are Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. It has nothing to do with the quality of the final.”
The Frenchman went on to make an even bolder claim about the ‘level’ of Alcaraz and Sinner’s French Open final.
“The level, the scenario of this final, more winners, more of everything. More drop shots, more volleys, it’s unbelievable. It’s not to say because the level is higher, it’s a better final,” said Mouratoglou.
“I’m just saying that the level of this final was higher than any other final I’ve seen. Higher.”
The man who won the final disagreed, however, as Alcaraz picked a different match as the greatest Grand Slam final of all time.
“I think to say it was one of the best finals in the history of the Grand Slam is really high status, I have to say there have been more or better finals. I am going to say one,” said Alcaraz.
“Novak against Rafa in the final of the Australian Open. I think that level of final is pretty high, and in history has been a better final, I guess.”
What happened when Novak Djokovic played Rafael Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open final
13 years ago, Djokovic and Nadal battled it out in the longest Grand Slam final in tennis history.
Just as Sinner and Alcaraz did earlier this month, Djokovic and Nadal traveled to Melbourne as the top two seeds and made their way through the competition to set up a ‘dream’ final.
It was Nadal who took the early lead, winning the first set 7-5 before Djokovic fought back, winning sets two and three to move within touching distance of the title.
The level of the final, as Alcaraz rightly pointed out, was ‘high’, with both players pushing each other to the limit down under.
When Nadal dug in to win the fourth set and take things to a decider, the fans on Rod Laver Arena could scarcely believe what they were watching.
Eventually, after five hours and 53 minutes, Djokovic secured the win, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5.
Earlier this year, Djokovic said the final was the most physically and mentally draining of his career.
“I mean we both were ready for a big battle, the longest-ever Grand Slam final,” he said.
“I think we were both stretching [during the trophy presentation], we were like Ok, I need a chair. We need a chair, we need some water.
“This one definitely stands out as the longest one that we ever played against each other; it was the longest Grand Slam final.”
It remains to be seen if another Grand Slam final can top Djokovic/Nadal or Sinner/Alcaraz in 2025, but it will certainly be worth looking out for.
The 2025 Wimbledon men’s final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 13.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
