As we enter the post Djokovic inspired next era, the future of tennis is in very good hands.
Carlos Alcaraz played some of the most dynamic tennis anyone has ever seen in conquering Jannik Sinner in five sets today, saving three championship points, from two sets down… 46 67 64 76 76. It was the longest French Open final in tournament history… a staggering five hours and 29 minutes. Neither combatant showed any signs of fatigue during the epic tennis brawl which featured uncountable jaw-dropping shots, especially in the grand finale where it was the 22 year old Spaniard who summoned just a little more shotmaking magic.
Alcaraz is now 5-0 in Grand Slam finals. Today was his first win from two sets down.
Sinner and Alcaraz have won the last six Grand Slam titles.
Andre Agassi commented after the historic final that from his perspective, Carlos could possess a fraction quicker footwork on the defense than Djokovic, can hit with more heft than Nadal and has the equal if not slightly more finesse and touch than Federer. No, Agassi was not shilling.
Carlos also has the ability to electrify a stadium, surely almost the entire Chatrier stadium was supporting him today. Strangely, again, Sinner is just not able to inspire or provoke not much more than a few fans, if any, to cheer him on. Maybe Sinner, who has been compared to a boring robot, has a conspicuous flaw of an inability to be able to connect with a fanbase. Which is hard to believe, considering the amazing level of tennis he has been playing for the last year, despite the three month suspension for the two positive drug tests.
The story of the tournament though is Carlos Alcaraz. And the curiosity for all of us tennis observers who wonder and wait to see just how much more he can improve before he reaches his peak at around age 30 or beyond.
Key moments: Carlos battled from 3-5 ad love-40 in the fourth set to stay alive. He saved the first championship point when Sinner unleashed a running forehand long by only inches. Sinner then missed a second-serve return and then netted a forehand during a baseline rally. After saving all three championship points, Carlos broke Sinner’s serve in the next game and then rode the momentum wave through the tiebreaker to force the decider.
Alcaraz earned himself the winning position and served for the match at 5-4, but Sinner wasn’t ready to surrender just yet. Sinner broke back for 5-5. It was tennis chaos by this point, with both sharpshooters astounding the audience with impossible winners and pinpoint placements. But it was Carlos who saved his best for last and finished the job.
The previous-longest Roland Garros final was the 1982 classic clash of titans Mats Wilander vs Guillermo Vilas which lasted four hours and 42 minutes, 47 minutes shorter than today’s marathon.
Artwork by Joel Blanc.
Carlos Alcaraz · Jannik Sinner · Nike · Roland Garros
Steve · June 9, 2025 at 4:05 am
I would fire Cahill, Sinner doesn’t need an expensive cheerleader he needs a decent first serve percentage. Yes, the statistic we used to focus on in the 90s.
It was a 53% in the fourth set(the critical set for Sinner) and 58% for the match. The way Alcaraz obliterates 2nd serves and takes over points it’s just not good enough.
The rivalry is on pause. Sinner has not beat Carlos in his last five attempts and Carlos looks at him the way Russian chessmaster Roman at Fort Washington Park used to look at me and my friends –as his pigeon.
Steve · June 9, 2025 at 4:51 am
*Sinner’s 1st serve % was 54% for hte match and 57% for the fourth set
Scoop Malinowski · June 9, 2025 at 7:32 am
You must mean Roman, the cocky arrogant chess king. I beat him both times and his son too! The right guy won yesterday, it just didn’t seem right for the banned two time drug cheat to win his first grand slam back after being banned. Perhaps Sinner subconsciously tanked.
Matt Segel · June 9, 2025 at 7:48 am
Well I was really down that Sinner lost. He is my favorite player and I really wanted him to win. I think it would have been poetic justice for him to win after the ridiculous suspension that was completely political because of the woke fraud that is Nick Krygios. Complete ignorance and innuendo without critical thinking skills seems to be the spirit of the times, so not surprising peope jump on that bandwagon.
I want the rest of Singers career to be revenge for the injustice done to him and so this one hurt.
But tension and suspense makes great matches and this was great.
Alcarez is like Novak, I don’t believe he will lose until it says final.
Proud of the way my guy fought back after cramping in the beginning of the fifth. Almost every other player would have lost 6-1.
Let’s get him at Wimby Jannik!
Scoop Malinowski · June 9, 2025 at 10:10 am
Matt you are a rare species, a true devout and loyal Sinner fan. Your hours of sadness are numbered though, for sure big results are on the horizon and right around the corner for the world no. 1. Yes Alcaraz is a natural born thriller. He really does seem to be a blend of the best attributes of Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Agassi, and Hewitt.
Steve · June 9, 2025 at 10:39 am
@Matt I think Sinner would’ve won the calendar slam had he won yesterday. He’s got to figure out how to combat the crazy angles Carlos generates and get that 1st serve % up when playing him imho. Tortoise and the hare.
Steve · June 9, 2025 at 10:43 am
Yes THAT Roman. The legendary chessmaster of tennis. Treated everyone like his pet pigeon. LOL This is how Carlos interacts with Jannik these days. You can see it if you have an eye for body language and subtext.
Scoop Malinowski · June 9, 2025 at 10:55 am
He was a character. Hope he’s well and still grinding and pushing ) Time to re-post my memorable encounters with the legend Roman. https://www.tennis-prose.com/articles/challenged-by-the-chess-master/
Scoop Malinowski · June 9, 2025 at 10:56 am
That dip in first serve percentage is a wee bit red flaggish. )
Steve · June 9, 2025 at 11:00 am
That’s how I found your blog from that legendary Roman posting 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · June 9, 2025 at 11:52 am
That’s right! Miss playing on those courts though they were fast and no give and the lines were probably painted twenty years ago and the glare off the Hudson River was another challenge. Cool little secret place to play.
Sam · June 13, 2025 at 4:48 am
Not that I think Carlos is clean either, but still glad to see the Clostebol Darlin’ lose an extremely tight match. 😌
Scoop, what do you think of Djokovic’s chances at Wimbledon?
Steve · June 13, 2025 at 5:52 am
There’s been a nasty theory online in some circles that Sinner choked. For me a choke is making errors on easy balls while in a winning position like double faults, dumping an short rally ball of medium pace into net & etc.
The three match points Sinner had were on Charley’s serve. When you serve like Alcaraz the serve still has superior odds of holding even when down 0-40. Also, I think Simmer was simply out-played & that Carlos played out his mind at crucial moments. What’s your take?
Scoop Malinowski · June 13, 2025 at 8:23 am
Semis minimum, we will see if he can beat Sinner or Carlos. I think he can do it.
Scoop Malinowski · June 13, 2025 at 8:25 am
Not a choke but when you blow MPs it’s going to automatically be called a choke. Carlos played his best when he needed it most. As we know, on all levels, certain players can suddenly play their best when they are on the edge of the cliff. Sinner surely knows about this but Carlos is a magician.
Sam · June 20, 2025 at 5:39 am
I think Djokovic can win the whole thing. Now, I’m not actually predicting that, but I certainly believe it’s possible. Sinner is too shaky on grass (just lost yesterday to Bublik), and I do not think Alcaraz is going to do a three-peat.
As always, the draw next Friday should tell much of the story. 📖
Scoop Malinowski · June 20, 2025 at 7:55 am
Sam, Also this feels like a year where a Richard Krajicek/Goran/Pat Cash/Boris Becker dark horse can step up. Overdue for one of those. Yes I like Djokovic’s chances more than anyone else. Carlos may be distracted by his opportunities at US Open mixed doubles with his partner.
Sam · June 27, 2025 at 11:19 pm
Scoop, yes, a dark horse is certainly a possibility. And while I would like to see Djokovic win, if it’s going to be someone else, I would definitely prefer a new face.
By the way, what do you think about today’s Wimbledon draw for the men?
Scoop Malinowski · June 28, 2025 at 8:23 am
Sam, the draw is what it is whether rigged or natural, we are going to see a lot of great tennis for two weeks. It’s a moment of truth tournament for Djokovic, maybe his last chance to win 25.
Sam · July 6, 2025 at 5:20 am
Well, Scoop, I like Djokovic’s chances. And coming into Wimbledon with a huge winning streak, not to mention the pressure of being a two-time defending champion, isn’t exactly optimal. 🤔
Scoop Malinowski · July 6, 2025 at 9:31 am
Djokovic could not look any better than he has so far at Wimbledon. Dominant and dynamic, focused and fierce, and near perfection. He’s still in the hunt, only coming up short vs Carlos Sinner recently, but handling everyone else. He’s right there. Not like Sampras losing to George Bastl at Wimbledon or Hewitt losing to Karlovic at Wimbledon.