Carlos Alcaraz Reveals What Stood Out the Most About His Epic Roland Garros Final Against Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz played a thrilling French Open final against Jannik Sinner last year that lasted for five hours and 29 minutes, the longest final in the history of the tournament. The Spaniard overcame a two-set deficit and saved three championship points in the fourth set before winning the fifth-set tie-break to stun Sinner and defend his title.

This season, Alcaraz will be competing for a three-peat of the Roland Garros title. In 2024, he tasted victory in the clay-court Major for the first time by registering a five-set victory over World No.3 Alexander Zverev.

Alcaraz, who is competing at the Monte-Carlo Masters, sat for an interview with Eurosport France, during which he revisited his heroic battle against his arch-rival. He revealed that the thing that stood out the most about that clash was the way he escaped negative thoughts and never gave up until the end.

I think what stands out to me most is the fight. The fact that I never gave up. Even when I was facing a break in the fourth set, even when I had to save three match points. The way I always believed in a happy ending, in a possible comeback. That’s something I hold on to from that match. Now I try to apply it in every match.

It was the first time the two top players met in a Grand Slam final. They went on to meet two more times at this stage. Sinner took his revenge on him in the Wimbledon final, but Alcaraz produced a dominant performance in the US Open final, stopping the Italian from defending his title.

When things don’t necessarily go my way, I know I can find a way to improve the situation, to escape negative thoughts. I think that’s the main thing I take away from that match.

Carlos Alcaraz added

Last year, they faced each other six times in finals, with Sinner winning only at Wimbledon and the ATP Finals. The four-time Grand Slam champion trails 6-10 in the head-to-head matchups, and they have yet to face each other this season.

Carlos Alcaraz names the players who have the best forehands

In Monte Carlo, Carlos Alcaraz started his title defense by downing Sebastian Baez. But he survived a scare against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round.

Following the match, Alcaraz was asked about Joao Fonseca‘s comment about which players have the best forehands on the tour. According to the Brazilian’s list, Alcaraz stands at the top, followed by Jannik Sinner, himself, Matteo Berrettini, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

That’s tricky, but at the same time, it’s a really good list. A pretty good list from Joao! I don’t know… I could put Andrey Rublev somewhere in the list. Right now, I could change Tsitsipas for Felix Auger [Aliassime], for example. I just love Felix Auger’s forehand. And the rest is pretty good. Berrettini is on it, right? He’s fourth? So the list is pretty full. I would say Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger should be around there. But yeah… I could feel myself at first place!

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

Alcaraz will next be locking horns with Alexander Bublik in the quarterfinals. Fonseca, who has reached his career’s first Masters 1000 quarterfinal, will be up against Alexander Zverev. Fonseca will only face the defending champion if they both progress to the final.

Because Alcaraz is defending 1,000 points, his defeat and Sinner’s victory in the event will make the latter the World No.1, given that the 24-year-old has no points to defend in The Principality. Last year, Alcaraz clinched the title in the event for the first time by beating Lorenzo Musetti.

Also read: “Lack of Respect,” Jannik Sinner Suffers Backlash After Withdrawing from the Monte Carlo Doubles Draw

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