“One of the toughest matches,” Carlos Alcaraz admits beating Jannik Sinner is the biggest challenge for him after securing Roland Garros final berth

The Spaniard explained how the satisfaction comes after overcoming a player like Sinner. 

“One of the toughest matches,” Carlos Alcaraz admits beating Jannik Sinner is the biggest challenge for him after securing Roland Garros final berth

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Images via X/IMAGO)

Carlos Alcaraz knew that facing Jannik Sinner in the Roland Garros semifinal wouldn’t be easier for him. He played his first five-set match against the Italian on Friday (June 7) to advance to his first Roland Garros final, winning with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 inside the Philippe-Chatrier court.

Alcaraz admitted that he only received some toughest competition from Sinner in his career, and is anticipating more challenges from the Italian. The Spaniard, who improved his head-to-head record 5-4 against the next World No.1, explained how the satisfaction comes after overcoming a player like Sinner. 

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You have to find the joy in suffering, that’s the key, even more on clay in Roland Garros. Long rallies, four-hour matches, five sets, you have to suffer. But you have to enjoy suffering. The toughest match I’ve played in my short career is against Jannik. US Open, this one, and I hope to play many, many more matches like this one against Jannik – but it was one of the toughest matches, for sure.
Carlos Alcaraz said after the match

Last year, the 21-year-old made it to the semifinal but lost in five sets to Novak Djokovic who went on to lift his third Roland Garros and 23rd Grand Slam trophy by beating Casper Ruud in the final. Ruud is bidding to win his first Roland Garros title but for that, he has to beat Alexander Zverev in the second semifinal. 

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Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest player to reach Grand Slam finals on three surfaces

Carlos Alcaraz will be playing his third Grand Slam final and will aim to win it. The win will improve his record in the Grand Slam final to 3-0, having previously won in the 2022 US Open by beating Casper Ruud, and the 2023 Wimbledon Championship by upsetting Novak Djokovic. 

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X)

The 21-year-old has now become the youngest player to advance to a Grand Slam final on all three surfaces. Alcaraz also became the second youngest to reach the summit clash of the Roland Garros since 2000. On top of the list is Rafael Nadal, who progressed to the championship match in 2005, 2006, and 2007 when he was 19, 20, and 21.

Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, will leave the Roland Garros with a 33-3 win-loss record this season. He won this year’s Australian Open and made it to the semifinals of Roland Garros for the first time. 

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