Alcaraz Wins Longest Title Match In Roland-Garros History

Carlos Alcaraz, Roland-Garros
Carlos Alcaraz (photo: Jürgen Hasenkopf)

PARIS/WASHINGTON, June 8, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)

In the City of Lights, Paris, and with history being written at Roland-Garros, Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain showed why the future of men’s tennis is now.

On a sunshine-filled Sunday afternoon that morphed into a pleasant Sunday evening, in a battle between two prodigies that was witnessed by pro football, rugby and basketball stars, American and European tennis champions of the past and present, plus a few Hollywood silver screen personalities among the 15,000 fans who filled Court Philippe-Chatrier, the World No. 2 Alcaraz remained undefeated in majors at 5-0.

The 22-year-old Spanish superstar prevailed – even persevered – over the World No. 1 Sinner, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2), in five hours and 29 minutes, handing him his first loss in a Grand Slam final after winning his first three. Alcaraz had successfully defended his Roland-Garros title.

It was a popcorn match for the ages.

The Sinner-Alcaraz final was the longest Roland-Garros men’s final in the Open Era, shattering the 1982 record of 4:42 set by Mats Wilander and Guillermo Vilas. By coincidence, Wilander was present to see Sunday’s final from a court-side vantage point as a pundit for Eurosport. Along the way, both finalists served for the French Open title and got broken – Sinner in the fourth set, Alcaraz in the fifth set. It was also the second-longest Grand Slam final in men’s singles history in the Open Era, behind the epic 5:53 set by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the 2012 Australian Open final.

Near its conclusion, the esteemed tennis writer Christopher Clarey, who has seen his share of Roland-Garros finals over the years, shared on his social media platforms: “The sublime has become routine.” Indeed, it had, but what a day and evening of tennis Alcaraz and Sinner gave fans, both in person and for a worldwide audience of millions who watched on TV or streamed the the final.

Alcaraz became just the ninth man in the Open Era to rally from two sets down to win a major title. Now, with his fifth career major crown secured, he’s the fourth player – man or woman – to start 5-0 in major finals, joining Roger Federer, Monica Seles and Iga Swiatek. He’s also the third youngest man to win five majors behind Bjorn Borg and Nadal.

Easily the best tennis match of 2025, Sunday’s final reached emotional peaks both late in the fourth set and, again, in the fifth set. Alcaraz faced sure defeat at 3-5 (0-40) in the fourth set but saved three championship points on serve, then broke Sinner in the very next game. It shifted the momentum of the title match.

Then, after Alcaraz failed to serve out the match at 5-4 in the fifth, he regrouped. Alcaraz came out fighting in the final-set match tie-break and won it going away. It was the first Roland-Garros final decided by a fifth-set tie-break, and by winning it – and successfully garnering consecutive French Open titles – Alcaraz joined Gustavo Kuerten and Nadal as the third man in this century to win back-to-back French Open crowns.

“I just want to say thank you for everything to my team and family,” Alcaraz said during the trophy ceremony. “I have the privilege to be able to live great things with you. I was lucky to have a lot of people who came from Murcia, from home, to support me. It is just amazing support you gave me today, during the whole two weeks. The people who weren’t able to come but are at home. Thank you very much and this trophy is yours as well, so thank you.”

Meanwhile, Sinner accepted his runner-up plate graciously and spoke eloquently in defeat.

“First of all, Carlos, congrats. An amazing performance, an amazing battle, amazing everything,” he said. “To you and your team, amazing job. I’m very happy for you and you deserve it.

“It’s easier to play than talk now. Obviously, to my team. Thank you so much for [helping to put] myself in this position. We tried our best today; we gave everything we had. Some time ago, we would have signed to be here, so still an amazing tournament even though it’s very difficult for now.”

Coming into Sunday’s title match, Sinner and Alcaraz had shared seven major titles – four for Alcaraz and three for Sinner – and it was the 23-year-old Italian’s first French Open final, while the young Spanish star was appearing in his second consecutive Roland-Garros title match. With both Alcaraz and Sinner in the final, the duo was now guaranteed to win seven of last eight Grand Slam tournaments, with Djokovic’s title victory at the 2023 US Open being the only player to break that streak.

Both players could boast 19-6 records in tour-level finals at the start of the final, but by the end of the day, the champion Alcaraz would become the first man born in 2000 or later to win 20 titles.

The top-seeded Sinner had not dropped a set during the Parisian fortnight, while No. 2 seed Alcaraz had lost just four. Sinner brought a 20-match winning streak in major events into the final, after winning the US Open last year and the Australian Open in January. He was playing in just his third tournament of the season after serving a three-month suspension from tennis in a doping settlement.  Meanwhile, Alcaraz boasted the best win-loss record on clay this season, 21-1, and had beaten Sinner in each of their past four meetings. By the end of the evening, it would be 22-1, and Alcaraz has now beaten Sinner five consecutive times.

Looking back, as the match reached the fifth set, tied two sets each after more than four hours of play, Alcaraz began the decider with a flash. He broke Sinner in the opening game, thanks to winning a 23-shot rally on break point. Alcaraz consolidated the break for a 2-0 lead before Sinner held solidly with an ace and some powerful first serves to trail 2-1.

A cross-court forehand winner on ad-point gave Alcaraz a hold for 3-1, then Sinner held with some clutch serving in a tight game to remain close. As the players went to their benches for the fifth-game changeover, at four-hours, 44-minutes since it started, the final became the longest Roland-Garros men’s final in the Open Era, surpassing the 1982 metric.

Alcaraz came out of the changeover and held serve for 4-2, pushing Sinner to the brink. However, Sinner struck three winners and won a love game with ease to trail 4-3. Then, Alcaraz held at 30 on an unforced error by Sinner to go ahead 5-3, putting himself just a game from winning the championship. After a quick hold by Sinner, the match rested on Alcaraz’s racquet, ahead 5-4 in the fifth set as the title match stretched to the five-hour mark.

However, Sinner rapidly gained a break point at 15-40 as he delivered a delicate, backhand drop-shot winner in response to a forehand drop shot from Alcaraz at the net. Then, Sinner broke for 5-all after Alcaraz netted a baseline volley. Sinner held for 6-5, winning a 10-point game that lasted six-and-a-half minutes, with a fifth-shot forehand winner. By winning the game, Sinner guaranteed – at worse – a chance for a match tie-break to determine the outcome. Next, Alcaraz did his part to assure the match tie-break. He held his serve in an eight-point game with a well-placed cross-court backhand winner that finished a nine-shot rally.

A match tie-break would be the perfect ending to this five-set battle among the best. Needing to win 10 points to capture the title, Alcaraz jumped ahead 3-0 on a couple of errors by Sinner that were sandwiched in between by a winner from the Spaniard. Soon, it was 5-0 following a forehand volley winner by Alcaraz coupled with a forced error by Sinner. Then, an unforced forehand error by Sinner and a backhand winner by Alcaraz made it 7-0 as he had won 11 of the last 12 points.

Sinner won the next two points to cut into the margin, but Alcaraz recovered and increased his lead to 8-2 on a backhand unforced error by Sinner. Alcaraz gained a championship point at 9-2 on a backhand forced error from Sinner – and won 10-2 with a fourth-shot forehand winner. It happened an hour and 43 minutes after Sinner last had match point.

With the victory secured, Alcaraz dropped to the red-brick clay, laying flat on his back smiling. The title celebration was just beginning. Quickly, he rose to share a warm and respectful embrace with Sinner at the net. Then, he raced into the stands to celebrate and be giddy with his family and team.

Statistically, Alcaraz finished the championship final with 70 winners – including seven aces – and made 73 unforced errors. It compared to 53 winners – including eight aces – and 64 unforced errors by Sinner. Alcaraz converted seven of 14 break points, while Sinner was successful on seven of 15 break-points chances. Sinner finished one point ahead of Alcaraz, 193-192, in total points – but it didn’t matter.

Alcaraz improved to 13-1 in five setters, while Sinner fell to 6-10. According to the ATP Tour website, Sinner is winless – now 0-7 – in matches extending beyond three hours and 50 minutes.

As Alcaraz posed with the champion’s trophy sporting a happy grin on his face, he had successfully defended his Roland-Garros title in one of the most epic title matches in Paris tennis history. The native of Murcia, Spain had boldly taken the torch from his Spanish elder, Nadal, during a remarkable Parisian fortnight, in which the King of Clay was saluted for his record 14 French Open crowns on opening day two weeks ago. Now, it was Alcaraz’s turn to smile and raise the Coupe des Mousquetaires high and proud.

Viva Italia: Errani and Paolini lift Roland-Garros women’s doubles trophy

Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini of Italy have enjoyed some of their best days as a doubles team on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Last year, the Italian duo won the Paris Olympics gold medal in women’s doubles. This year in their sixth major appearance, after finishing French Open runner-up 12 months ago, Errani and Paolini won the Roland-Garros women’s doubles title – their first major title together. They defeated Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan and Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, in two hours and 15 minutes. Including the Olympics run, the Italians have won 11 straight matches on Paris clay.

The second-seeded Errani and Paolini, ranked sixth in the world, combined to hit 42 winners to 24 unforced errors, converted four of 13 break points and outpointed Danilina and Krunic 103-91.

“I can say that this is the best court in the world. I have the best memories here and it’s so special,” Errani said during her trophy ceremony speech. “Thanks to Jas It’s so special. You have such good energy every day that you give to me and I’m really happy to share this moment with you.

“It’s tough because it’s tennis and we never stop every day,” Errani added. “You just try to be focused every day, and maybe you are not enjoying 100 percent what is happening, because you cannot stop and feel it. But right now, I feel it, and I am trying to realize what we are doing is so big. Winning a Grand Slam is the best thing in the world.”

On the WTA Tour, Errani and Paolini have now won eight titles together, including four WTA 1000 titles. The 38-year-old Errani, who was appearing in her 10th career Grand Slam doubles final, has now won six career major titles – including Roland-Garros twice. Her first five came with Roberta Vinci (2012 Roland-Garros, 2012 US Open, 2013-14 Australian Open, and 2014 Wimbledon Championships). She also finished runner-up in four major finals. This was the first Grand Slam title of any discipline for the 29-year-old Paolini.

“You are really an inspiration for me,” Paolini said to Errani. A year ago, Paolini was a finalist in both singles and doubles. “I’m really, really happy about this title. Last year we lost in the final and it was a bit tough. We get the trophy this year so it’s amazing. … It’s great to have you in my team and sharing these moments with you, it’s something special.

“You are a great champion, a great person, maybe an even better person. You made me a better player, I guess. … You are a legend, for me.”

It was the second title for Errani during this Parisian fortnight. On Thursday, she and Italian partner Andrea Vavassori won the mixed doubles title. She and Vavassori also won the US Open mixed doubles title last year.

Around Stade Roland-Garros

• On Sunday, 1999 Roland-Garros champion Andre Agassi of the United States, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, presented the Coupe de Mousquetaires trophy to Carlos Alcaraz. In 1999, Agassi defeated Andrei Medvedev of Ukraine, 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 for his first French Open title and fourth Grand Slam crown overall. He became the second man in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam.

• Among the many personalities attending the men’s final were: former NBA basketball stars Dirk Nowitski and Tony Parker, tennis hall of famers Martina Navratilova, Stefan Edberg, and Michael Chang, French rugby star Antoine Dupont, American singer/songwriter Pharrell Williams and American film director Spike Lee.

• Newly-crowned Roland-Garros women’s champion Coco Gauff posed for photographs with the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen trophy at La Tribune Concorde Sunday afternoon, then returned in time for the men’s singles final.

By the numbers

When defending champion and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz took on World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Roland-Garros final, it marked the first major men’s championship match between two players born in the 2000s. It’s the first time two players aged 23 and under have met in the men’s singles final of the French Open since Sergei Bruguera, 23, defeated Alberto Berasategui, 20, in the 1994 title match.

“Quotable …”

“I wrote, ‘I will be French Open champion 2025’ like a bunch of times.

“Looking at myself in the mirror so I was trying to instill that belief, and obviously it happened. I didn’t know if it was going to work or not. (But) it did.

“When you’re desperate, you’re just trying anything to think that it’s going to help you win.”

– Roland-Garros champion Coco Gauff of the United States, during her champion’s news conference Saturday, describing how she drew inspiration from Paris Olympics 200-meter champion Gabby Thomas and wrote down on a piece of paper that she would be French Open champion.

 

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