Jannik Sinner Recalls Disappointment of Blowing Three Championship Points Against Carlos Alcaraz in Roland Garros Final

Carlos Alcaraz scripted history after clinching a win in the longest French Open final against arch-rival Jannik Sinner.

Jannik Sinner Recalls Disappointment of Blowing Three Championship Points Against Carlos Alcaraz in Roland Garros Final

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Univers Tennis)

Whatever happened has happened and Jannik Sinner, though for him it’s hard to accept, could do nothing but move on as he doesn’t have the power to reverse the clock to play the fourth set differently against Carlos Alcaraz in the epic French Open final on Sunday (June 8). From the very first game, it was a tight affair.

Sinner took 2-0 sets lead, but Alcaraz increased his intensity to win the next set before the former changed the momentum completely in his favor when he took a 5-3 lead in the fourth set. It was then Alcaraz held his nerves and with unwavering concentration, saved three championships and ended the game in his favor with a forehand winner, and carried his momentum to the next few games to take a 6-5 lead, before winning it through a tie-breaker.

But while you’re still playing, you don’t think of the chances you had. I tried to delete everything. Every set in Slams, you try to start from 0 again. I was of course disappointed about the 4th set. Match points…serving for the match. But again, I stayed there mentally. I didn’t give him any free points.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

After another tense fifth set that eventually extended to the 10-point tie-breaker, Alcaraz clinched the unforgettable win, with a 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) scoreline in five hours and 29 minutes- the longest French Open final in the history of tennis.

When it was over, it was over. That’s a different feeling. Different things coming through your mind. You can’t do anything anymore when the match is over.

Jannik Sinner added

Since 2024, Sinner has lost just eight matches and five of those came from the now five-time Grand Slam champion. Before Paris, they met in the final of the Italian Open, where Sinner made his comeback after his three-month doping ban. Alcaraz won that match and with his latest victory, he is 3-1 against Sinner on clay, while in their overall head-to-head record, the Spaniard holds a 8-4 lead.

Jannik Sinner reveals what will help him to recover after his French Open defeat

Jannik Sinner‘s mother, Siglinde Sinner, was in his box during his final against Carlos Alcaraz. She had a tough time watching his son as whenever the camera focused on her, she looked extremely stressed. At the press conference after his defeat, Sinner said he would seek his family’s help to recover from the heartbreak.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

My family, the people who know me. We’re a very simple family. My father wasn’t here because he was working today. Nothing about our success changes in the family. It was nice to see my mother here.

It was the first French Open final he played in his career as before this year, he lost a thrilling five-set semifinal to Alcaraz last year. Later Alcaraz clinched his career’s first Roland Garros title by beating Alexander Zverev in five sets.

The 22-year-old has become the third youngest to capture five Grand Slam titles after Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal. He is also the third man in the Open Era to win a Major after saving at least one match point.

Alcaraz is also the ninth man in the Open Era to win a Major after being 2-0 in the first two sets. He is the third man in this century to win two consecutive French Open titles after Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten. Sunday’s match on Chatrier was the first encounter between the two young rivals in a Grand Slam final.

Alcaraz concluded his campaign on clay swing this season by reaching the finals of every tournament he played, becoming a champion in Monte Carlo, Rome, and Paris, losing only the Barcelona Open final to Holger Rune. Sinner too has reached the finals of the three events he played this season, winning only the Australian Open in January.

Also Read: PGA Tour Comparing Carlos Alcaraz to Tiger Woods After Winning French Open Doesn’t Sit Well with Golf Fans: “Don’t Try to Compare Anyone to the Goat”