In the aftermath of Carlos Alcaraz’s heart-stopping victory at the 2025 French Open, the tennis world is abuzz with comparisons to the sport’s all-time greats. The 22-year-old Spaniard’s epic five-set triumph over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner—a grueling 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) marathon that spanned five hours and 29 minutes—has solidified his status as a generational talent. Amid the celebration, Emma Raducanu’s coach, Mark Petchey, offered a compelling perspective, drawing parallels between Alcaraz’s resilience and the legendary grit of Novak Djokovic. Speaking on TNT Sports, Petchey highlighted a critical trait that binds these two champions, urging fans to reconsider how they view Alcaraz’s dramatic, set-dropping victories.
The French Open final was a spectacle of endurance and willpower. Alcaraz, trailing by two sets and staring down triple championship point at 5-3, 0-40 in the fourth set, clawed his way back with a blend of ferocious groundstrokes and unyielding mental fortitude. His ability to save match points with a searing forehand and a daring drop shot electrified the Roland Garros crowd, culminating in a dominant fifth-set tiebreak. “This one was the most exciting match that I’ve played so far, without a doubt,” Alcaraz said post-match, his voice brimming with pride. “The match had everything, really good moments, really bad moments. I’m proud about how I dealt with everything today.” This victory marked his fifth Grand Slam title, making him the youngest man to win majors on all three surfaces—hard, grass, and clay—at just 21 years and 35 days.
Petchey, a seasoned coach and commentator who has guided Raducanu through her grass-court resurgence, pointed out a striking similarity between Alcaraz and Djokovic. “I think the one thing about Carlos that people get really wrapped up about is the fact that he drops sets,” he said on TNT Sports. “You have got to remember that Novak has never won a major without dropping a set.” This observation challenges the narrative that Alcaraz’s penchant for five-set thrillers—three of his five major finals have gone the distance—is a flaw. Instead, Petchey argued, it’s a strength. “I also think it helps him in moments like that when he is two sets to love down. Because he is enjoying it,” he added, emphasizing Alcaraz’s ability to thrive under pressure, much like Djokovic, whose 24 Grand Slam titles have all involved dropped sets.
Djokovic’s own journey offers context for Petchey’s point. The Serbian legend, known for his marathon victories, has often turned seemingly lost causes into triumphs, a trait Alcaraz mirrored in Paris. Unlike Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, or Bjorn Borg, who have won majors without dropping a set, Djokovic’s path has always been fraught with challenges. Alcaraz’s French Open run was no different, with six sets dropped across matches against J.J. Wolf, Jesper de Jong, Sebastian Korda, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Sinner. Yet, as Petchey noted, this resilience in adversity is what defines both players. “It’s not the biggest deal in the world,” he said of Alcaraz’s set losses, a nod to the Spani’s ability to dig deep when the stakes are highest.
Raducanu, under Petchey’s guidance, is navigating her own comeback trail. Her recent top-50 return, fueled by an 8-3 record with Petchey during the grass season, reflects a focus on mental and technical growth. While she battles serving inconsistencies, as seen in her Australian Open win over Ekaterina Alexandrova despite 15 double faults, Petchey’s insights into Alcaraz and Djokovic suggest a broader lesson for his pupil: embracing challenges can forge champions. “If she can stay healthy and compete a lot, the results will come because she’s that good,” Sky Sports analyst Tim Henman said of Raducanu, echoing Petchey’s belief in resilience.
Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, was equally stunned by the final. “I’m not going to say that I was believing that he was able to recover from that 5-3, Love-40,” he admitted, underscoring the improbability of Alcaraz’s escape. The Spaniard’s 42-21 record against top-10 players and his perfect 5-0 mark in Grand Slam finals highlight a clutch factor that Petchey sees as Djokovic-esque. As Alcaraz prepares for Wimbledon, where he’ll defend his 2024 title, and Raducanu eyes a deep run at Queen’s Club, Petchey’s comparison serves as a reminder: greatness often emerges from the crucible of adversity, whether it’s Alcaraz’s epic comebacks or Djokovic’s enduring legacy.
Leave a Reply