Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were locked in a battle for the ages at the 2025 French Open final, as the Spaniard triumphed over his Italian opponent in a match that lasted nearly five and a half hours. In his post-match press conference, Alcaraz stated that he had to ‘go for it’ to win his fifth Major title.
The match was a classic five-setter, which saw momentum shift from one player to the other. Alcaraz got the first break in the first set, but Sinner recovered and broke the Spaniard to win the first set 6-4. Sinner served for the second set at 5-4 but got broken. However, the Italian kept his composure and won the second set in the tiebreaker.
Carlos Alcaraz responded ferociously, winning the third set, but went down a break in the fourth set. At 3-5 (0-40), he saved three successive match points and then won the set in a tiebreak. He used the momentum to break first in the fifth set and had an opportunity to serve the match at 5-4. In a last effort, Sinner once again broke the Spaniard, taking the match to a tiebreak. Alcaraz raised his level in the tiebreak, winning the first seven points. That lead was enough for the second seed to successfully defend his Roland Garros title.
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While talking to the press after the final, Alcaraz admitted that he had decided not to hold back his shots and play fearless tennis by identifying the right moments, even at the risk of losing the match. He said that not doubting himself was crucial in playing his best tennis during difficult points in the match.
"I told myself that in specific moments, I had to go for it. No matter what. No matter if I was down. No matter if I lose the 5th. I just thought it was time to go for it. not be afraid of mistakes... Today was all about belief in myself. I never doubted myself today..That's why I saw my best tennis in difficult situations."
With this win, Carlos Alcaraz maintains his supremacy in five-set matches, as the Spaniard has a phenomenal 13-1 record in five-set matches in his career.
Carlos Alcaraz remains unbeaten in Grand Slam finals
Apart from his five-set record, Alcaraz maintained his undefeated record at Grand Slam finals. The Spaniard has won all five Major finals that he has qualified for and has proved to be a phenomenal clutch player, who is an expert in dealing with the high-pressure situations of a Grand Slam final.
The only other player who had a better start to his record at Grand Slam finals than Carlos Alcaraz is Roger Federer. The Swiss legend won his first seven Major finals, from the 2003 Wimbledon to the 2006 Australian Open. His first Slam final loss came against Rafael Nadal at the 2006 French Open.
Alcaraz is on the cusp of achieving something very special. If the Spaniard wins the Wimbledon title next month, he will be the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to complete the coveted "Channel Slam" in successive years.
