PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz came from two sets down and saved three match points to overcome Jannik Sinner and defend his French Open title on Sunday in the longest final match in Roland Garros history.
The Spaniard showed incredible reserves of energy and willpower to win a five-hour 29-minute marathon, 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-2), and deny world No. 1 Sinner a third consecutive Grand Slam title.
Alcaraz claimed his fifth major crown at exactly the same age as his idol Rafael Nadal did, aged 22 years, one month and three days old.
It was his fifth victory from his fifth final, which was the first at one of the Slams to be played between two players born this century.
It was also the first Grand Slam final meeting of the two young superstars of men’s tennis who have now shared the last six major titles.
And it is one that will go down as a cast-iron Roland Garros classic, a final for the ages, a high-quality and heavy-hitting marathon.
After receiving the trophy – not from Nadal but from 1999 champion Andre Agassi – Alcaraz said: “Jannik, it’s amazing the level you reach.
“To everyone who came from Murcia to support me, thank you. This trophy is yours also.
“Paris, you have been important support for me since the first practice in the first round, I can’t thank you enough. You will always be in my heart.”
Sinner said: “First of all, congratulations Carlos. It was an amazing performance from you again. It was an amazing battle.
“It is easier to play than to talk right now. Even though it is very difficult right now, it is okay. It is a big privilege for me to be here and to play here.
“For me, Paris is a really special place. I have achieved many great things here. I’m still happy with this one. It is an amazing trophy.
“I won’t sleep very well tonight but it is okay.”
Italian Sinner, on a 20-match winning streak at the Slams, had earlier looked certain to add the Paris title to his US and Australian Open crowns when he forged two sets ahead.
He had lost his previous four matches against Alcaraz – the most recent in the Rome final last month, his first tournament after serving a three-month doping ban.
