On June 8, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz delivered a performance for the ages, outlasting world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a historic French Open final at Roland Garros. The 22-year-old Spaniard battled back from two sets down, saving three championship points to claim a 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) victory in a five-hour, 29-minute marathon—the longest men’s final in the tournament’s history. This triumph, Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam title and second at Roland Garros, solidified his status as a tennis titan. Yet, as fans celebrated his resilience, many took to social media to voice their frustration over the ATP’s relentless schedule, which offers Alcaraz little rest before the grass-court season begins at Queen’s Club on June 16. “Give Carlos Alcaraz extra rest,” one fan pleaded, echoing a chorus of concerns about the “insane” demands placed on players after such a physically and mentally taxing ordeal.
The final against Sinner was a breathtaking display of skill and tenacity. Alcaraz, trailing 3-5, 0-40 in the fourth set, stared down defeat but refused to yield. “I just didn’t think about anything. Just going point after point, putting my heart into it,” he said post-match, reflecting on his mindset during those critical moments. His audacious shot-making—drop shots, searing forehands, and a miraculous backhand passing shot in the fifth-set tiebreak—turned the tide, leaving the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd roaring. Sinner, who had dropped just three service games in the entire tournament before the final, was pushed to his limits, with Alcaraz’s relentless energy and variety proving decisive. “The level was insane,” Alcaraz noted, marveling at Sinner’s ability to hit “amazing shots” while admitting, “Sometimes I thought: ‘What can I do?’”
This victory marked Alcaraz’s first comeback from two sets down, a feat that underscored his mental fortitude at just 22—the same age Rafael Nadal was when he won his fifth major. With a 19-0 clay-court record this season, including Masters 1000 titles in Monte Carlo and Rome, Alcaraz has cemented his dominance on the surface. His head-to-head edge over Sinner now stands at 8-4, extending his winning streak against the Italian to five matches. “I’m pretty sure you’re going to be a champion, not once, but many many times,” Alcaraz told Sinner during the trophy ceremony, a nod to their burgeoning rivalry that has seen them split the last six Grand Slam titles.
However, the euphoria of Alcaraz’s triumph was tempered by fans’ outrage over his upcoming schedule. With Queen’s Club Championships looming just eight days after the French Open, many criticized the ATP for failing to provide adequate recovery time. “This is not fair at all, I wish he skipped this tho, and just train on the grass instead,” one fan wrote, highlighting the risk of injury after such a grueling final. Another lamented, “Man, I love Queen’s—but the tennis schedule is insane. How are we, as fans, supposed to process what we just witnessed in a week… let alone the players?” The sentiment reflects a broader concern about the sport’s demanding calendar, with Alcaraz facing a tight turnaround before defending his Wimbledon title, where he triumphed in 2023 and 2024.
Alcaraz’s grass-court preparation is critical, given his rapid rise on the surface. After struggling early in his career, winning just four matches on grass before 2023, he transformed his game, leveraging drop shots and adapting to the low bounce. His 12-0 record on grass in 2023, including titles at Queen’s and Wimbledon, boosted his win percentage on the surface to 86.36%—the highest of any surface. Yet, the short gap between Roland Garros and Queen’s, followed by Wimbledon’s start on June 30, leaves little room for recovery. Fans fear the physical toll of the French Open epic, coupled with Alcaraz’s summer schedule—including the Olympics, where he earned silver in 2024—could jeopardize his health and performance.
Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has guided Alcaraz since 2019, has been vocal about balancing rest and preparation. After last year’s French Open win, Alcaraz’s brief Ibiza getaway sparked debate, but he returned to win Queen’s and Wimbledon, silencing critics. This year, Ferrero gave his blessing for another break, saying, “I told him to have a good time, that he deserved it, but to remember that he’s a tennis player at all times.” Alcaraz’s ability to recharge mentally while staying sharp will be key as he faces a stacked field at Queen’s, including players like Tommy Paul and Lorenzo Musetti, before Wimbledon.
The tennis world remains captivated by Alcaraz’s flair and heart, with legends like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic praising his clash with Sinner as one of the greatest Grand Slam finals. “They’re definitely great for tennis, both of them,” Djokovic said, acknowledging the dawn of a new era. As Alcaraz prepares for the grass swing, fans hope the ATP heeds their calls for a more flexible schedule, ensuring their champion can shine without burning out.
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