On June 8, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz solidified his place among tennis’s elite, staging a breathtaking comeback to defeat World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the French Open men’s final, a marathon five-set battle that lasted five hours and 29 minutes—the longest men’s final in Roland Garros history. The 22-year-old Spaniard, trailing by two sets and facing three championship points at 3-5, 0-40 in the fourth, defied the odds to win 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2), securing his second consecutive French Open title and his fifth Grand Slam overall. The victory, which earned Alcaraz nearly $3 million, drew effusive praise from tennis luminaries, including Roger Federer and Coco Gauff, whose messages underscored the Spaniard’s meteoric rise and the sport’s bright future.
The final was a clash of titans, pitting Alcaraz against Sinner in a match that many see as the dawn of a new great rivalry, succeeding the era of Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz’s resilience shone through as he battled back from the brink, leveraging his rhythm and relentless groundstrokes to outlast Sinner, who faltered in the decisive fifth-set tiebreak. “I have to say there have been more or better finals, Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final,” Alcaraz said courtside, “but I’m just really happy to put my name into one of the longest finals in the history of Roland Garros.” His humility belied a historic feat: he became the first man in the Open Era to win his first five Grand Slam finals, a record unmatched by even the sport’s greatest legends.
Roger Federer, the Swiss maestro with 20 Grand Slam titles, was quick to celebrate the spectacle on Instagram, posting on his story: “Three winners in Paris today: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and the beautiful game of tennis. What a match!” His words captured the match’s brilliance, which showcased the athleticism and artistry of two young stars pushing the boundaries of the sport. Federer, who inspired Alcaraz’s flair for creative shot-making, has long been a beacon for the Spaniard, who described a recent practice session with him in Shanghai as a “masterclass.” “I watched him many, many times, his matches,” Alcaraz once said. “He hit shots, unbelievable shots. Every kid wants to imitate him a little bit.”
Coco Gauff, fresh off her own triumph in the women’s final against Aryna Sabalenka, also joined the chorus of praise. The 21-year-old American, who won her first Roland Garros title and second Grand Slam, posted on X: “We had to run Beijing back for the one time! Congratulations @carlitosalcarazz on an incredible win! You are amazing!” Her message referenced their shared success at the 2024 China Open, where both claimed titles, a nod to their growing camaraderie. Gauff, who has drawn inspiration from Alcaraz’s joyful on-court demeanor, added on her Instagram story: “Congratulations, Carlos Alcaraz. Amazing comeback. We ran back Beijing.” Their lighthearted connection, rooted in a humorous 2019 DM exchange where Gauff initially ghosted Alcaraz, adds a relatable layer to their mutual respect.
The tennis world echoed their sentiments. Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz’s idol and a 14-time French Open champion, wrote on Instagram: “What a great Roland Garros final! Enhorabuena @carlitosalcarazz! Congrats also @janniksin for the great battle.” Other players, including Jakub Mensik, Holger Rune, and Lorenzo Musetti, who retired against Alcaraz in the semifinals, also offered congratulations, reflecting Alcaraz’s popularity on the ATP Tour. Former world No. 4 Robin Soderling called the final a sign that Alcaraz and Sinner have “taken it to the next level,” surpassing even the Big Three’s peak rivalries.
Alcaraz’s victory, watched by Spain’s national football team before their Nations League final, transcended tennis, inspiring a nation. “I want to start with Jannik. It is amazing the level you have,” Alcaraz said on-court, praising Sinner’s team and their shared history-making moment. “I’m just really happy to be able to make history with you.” With his sights now set on Wimbledon, where he aims for a third straight title, Alcaraz’s 5-0 Grand Slam final record and clay-court mastery—joining Federer, Nadal, and Bjorn Borg with 10 ATP clay titles by age 22—signal a relentless pursuit of greatness. As Federer and Gauff’s tributes highlight, Alcaraz is not just a champion but a torchbearer for tennis’s next golden era.
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