Carlos Alcaraz cemented his status as tennis' new generational star with a thrilling five-set victory over Jannik Sinner in the longest French Open final on record, clocking in at 4 hours and 19 minutes. The 21-year-old Spaniard rallied from two sets down to claim his second consecutive Roland-Garros title, demonstrating trademark resilience that's becoming his hallmark.
"When the situations are against you, you have to keep fighting," Alcaraz told reporters after joining an elite group of nine players in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam final after trailing by two sets. "It's no time to be tired, no time to give up."
The final mirrored Alcaraz's 2023 Wimbledon triumph over Novak Djokovic, where he similarly overturned a deficit. His ability to thrive under pressure now draws comparisons to legends like Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg, who achieved similar comebacks early in their careers.
Sunday's victory marks Alcaraz's fourth Grand Slam title, positioning him as the youngest player since Nadal to defend a French Open championship. The match's intensity peaked in the fifth set, where Alcaraz saved three break points before converting his second championship opportunity with a blistering crosscourt forehand.
As clay-court tennis continues evolving with younger champions, analysts note Alcaraz's win reinforces Spain's dominance at Roland-Garros – Spanish players have now claimed 16 of the last 19 men's singles titles at the tournament.
