(In Images) Carlos Alcaraz gets Treated for an Eye Issue During Roland Garros Final Against Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner gave Carlos Alcaraz a tough battle in the first two sets of the Roland Garros finals.

(In Images) Carlos Alcaraz gets Treated for an Eye Issue During Roland Garros Final Against Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz (images via X)

The 2025 Roland Garros marks a novel moment in the Jannik Sinner–Carlos Alcaraz rivalry, as both met for the first time in a Grand Slam final. In this intense battle between the World No. 1 and No. 2, Alcaraz met with a slight disruption as a bit of dust flew into his eye during the first set in the clay court of Philippe-Chartier.

The first set was very competitive, with both holding serve initially. Alcaraz had a good opportunity to get an early break at 1-1 after Sinner made some errors, and the Spaniard followed up with a deft drop shot. However, he failed to convert break points then. Alcaraz soon broke Sinner to lead 3-2, but Sinner fought back quickly. Trailing at 5-4, Alcaraz sought medical help to address an issue with his eye.

The eye issue was dealt with briskly, and Alcaraz returned to the court. However, he missed a seemingly routine volley at the net, sending the ball well wide of the mark. The Italian soon clinched the first set 6-4.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s rivalry

Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to become the next person after Rafael Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten to defend the Roland Garros title. Meanwhile, three-time Grand Slam champion Jannik Sinner has reached his first Grand Slam final outside of the hard court. Alcaraz leads Sinner 7-4 in their head-to-head record and has won all of their last four encounters on tour. The Spaniard is also 2-1 against Sinner on clay.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Janniksin_Updates)

Nonetheless, they have only met once at the Roland Garros, and that was last year, when Alcaraz claimed the victory in five sets at the semifinals. Their most recent meeting was at the Italian Open finals last month, where Alcaraz triumphed in straight sets.

It has been five years since the World No. 1 and No. 2 seeds have met in the men’s singles final at Roland Garros. That was the COVID-19 pandemic 2020 Roland Garros final in the fall, where Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic.

Interestingly, Nadal had not dropped a set en route in that tournament, and the next person since him to reach the Roland Garros finals without dropping a set on the way is Sinner during his current run.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s run at the 2025 Roland Garros

Carlos Alcaraz earned his spot in this year’s Roland Garros final after surviving a scare from Lorenzo Musetti, who unfortunately retired in the fourth set of the semifinal. The 22-year-old faced Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals, in what was his only straight-set victory in the tournament.

A moment from the tournament that won everyone’s heart was in the fourth-round match when Alcaraz faced Ben Shelton. Demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship and fair-play, Alcaraz refused a point awarded to him by the umpire, as the shot was illegal.

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

Jannik Sinner, on the other hand, showed excellent form on clay after returning to tour from his three-month doping suspension. Along with not dropping a set en route to the finals, Sinner also bagelled three opponents on the way.

It also marked his third consecutive Grand Slam final, having won the last two finals. The 23-year-old defeated three-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, halting the Serbian’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam title.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner Aims To “Try Something Different” Against Carlos Alcaraz at the Roland Garros Final