logo
Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner in an all-Time great final: Why this French Open final is momentous for men's tennis

Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner in an all-Time great final: Why this French Open final is momentous for men's tennis

Indian Express4 hours ago

The greatest credit one can give to the Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner marathon at the French Open final on Sunday is that it simultaneously made us nostalgic about the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic era of Grand Slam finales while reaffirming the tennis world that the future of the sport is in safe hands.
Former player Andy Roddick nailed it when he said: 'Easily one of the greatest matches of all time. Anyone who doesn't think so is living in their own nostalgia,' he said on his YouTube Channel. 'It's absurd the level these two have taken to. Like the big three before them, they are pushing the game to heights I don't think we have seen before.'
It has been evident for some time now that Alcaraz vs Sinner is the rivalry that will define this era of men's tennis. But until Sunday at Roland Garros, the two rising superstars hadn't met in a Grand Slam final. And what's more, neither had lost a Major final they had played in with Alcaraz 4/4 and Sinner 3/3. Sinner hadn't won a match that lasted beyond 4 hours. Alcaraz hadn't won a Major match after going down by two sets. Something had to give. And they gave the world a final to remember. For a sport that had been lucky to witness three greats slug it out for years, a defining moment for the new generation arrived in some style.
FRENCH OPEN 2025 FINAL: SINNER VS ALCARAZ HIGHLIGHTS
Establishing the elite status of this rivalry, they put on a gladiatorial show that last for 5 hours and 29 minutes, the longest ever final in French Open history. And in the end, Alcaraz completed his great escape after looking down and out for so long. Sinner will take time to recover from this jolt, but when the dust settles, both of them would realise they gave tennis one of the greatest finals of all time.
It got current and former players buzzing on social media. Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka gushed, with the help of some emojis, 'Insane Level.' Alex de Minaur was generous with his use of exclamation points. 'The level of this whole match was insanity!!!!! What a day to be a fan of this beautiful sport,' the Aussie star posted. 'What an incredible ending to @rolandgarros,' said Rafa Nadal, whose footprint at Court Philippe-Chatrier bore metaphorical witness to the grandstand finish.
But perhaps the most poignant post came from John Millman, the Aussie who, at 2020 Australian Open, took Roger Federer to a deciding fifth tiebreak where he came up just short of a monumental upset. 'How is it even possible that we are watching this type of tennis again, so soon after the greatest ever three battled?'
Today's roller-coaster final is our Extraordinary Moment by @HaierOfficial 🎢#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/5Af9R71449
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 8, 2025
Tennis had been incredibly blessed for the careers of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic to overlap to such a significant amount, that following that up was always going to be tough. It didn't happen right away, even though Djokovic is still very much mixing it up with the elite. There was a lost generation of potential superstars that included/includes the likes of Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. But with Sinner and Alcaraz, the expectations have been sky-high for a while now. They had already given us some classics like the US Open 2022 quarterfinal and the French Open 2024 semifinal.
But the Big Three, and even Andy Murray included, was revered for their Sunday clashes. The title deciders. The 2008 Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal. The 2012 Australian Open final between Nadal and Djokovic. The 2017 Australian Open final between Federer and Nadal. The 2019 Wimbledon final between Federer and Djokovic. Those are the matches that defined their era. And so there was a lot riding on the first-ever Grand Slam final meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner, which had been on the cards for a while.
Boy, did it deliver. After a shaky first act, when both players started off the match making more errors than usual, the match began to peak in quality, reaching superhuman levels as the evening progressed. Sinner's refusal to give up when he scurried forward to retrieve a drop shot at 4-5 down in the fifth when Alcaraz was serving for the set was a case of finding a nitrogen boost while running on reserve fuel. Alcaraz's volley early in the fifth set tiebreak, when he played a drop shot and followed it up by taking the ball on the full while adjusting his feet, to hit a clean winner. Those were instances when the match transcended from sport to art.
In the end, it was a shame there had to be a loser. But the sport, as the cliche goes, won.
Vinayakk Mohanarangan is Senior Assistant Editor and is based in New Delhi. ... Read More

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Commentator's Virat Kohli Reference For Carlos Alcaraz In Old Video Goes Viral
Commentator's Virat Kohli Reference For Carlos Alcaraz In Old Video Goes Viral

NDTV

time33 minutes ago

  • NDTV

Commentator's Virat Kohli Reference For Carlos Alcaraz In Old Video Goes Viral

Cricket might not be a global sport, but Virat Kohli is certainly a global athlete. The impact Virat has managed to create over the course of his esteemed career has drawn attention from not just cricket lovers but top athletes from other sports as well. As Spain's Carlos Alcaraz took on Italy's Jannik Sinner in the French Open 2025 men's singles final, an old video of the Spaniard went viral. In the video, the commentators couldn't help but compare the former's exploits with those of the Indian cricket icon. The video was from a match between Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas from 2023. Much like Virat did in cricket, Alcaraz has taken the tennis world by storm, thanks to his ability to excel in all conditions, against every opponent. The craft, skill, and grit that Alcaraz showed against Sinner in the Roland Garros summit clash on Sunday reminded the commentators of Virat. King Kohli is the face of World Cricket #Wimbledon — Shekhar (@Shekhar499) July 17, 2023 After losing the first two sets in the Roland Garros final, Alcaraz bounced back in style to beat Sinner 3-2 in a 5-set thriller that went down in history as the longest final ever in French Open history. In fact, Carlos Alcaraz saved three championship points as he produced an astonishing fightback. Reigning champion Alcaraz rallied from the brink of defeat to overcome world number one Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (10/2) to clinch his fifth Grand Slam title after five hours and 29 minutes. The 22-year-old Spaniard is now unbeaten in five Grand Slam finals after snapping Sinner's 20-match winning run at the majors. Alcaraz pulled off his first-ever comeback from two sets down to stun Sinner in the longest Roland Garros final in history. It easily eclipsed the 1982 final in Paris when Mats Wilander triumphed in four sets over Guillermo Vilas in 4 hours and 42 minutes. Alcaraz becomes the third youngest man to win five Grand Slams -- after Bjorn Borg and compatriot Rafael Nadal -- following an incredible duel between the two stars of a new generation. Sinner fell agonisingly short of a third successive Grand Slam crown after last year's US Open title and back-to-back Australian Open triumphs.

How much would the recent Grand Slam win add to Carlos Alcaraz's net worth
How much would the recent Grand Slam win add to Carlos Alcaraz's net worth

Time of India

time42 minutes ago

  • Time of India

How much would the recent Grand Slam win add to Carlos Alcaraz's net worth

Image: AP Carlos Alcaraz's meteoric rise on the clay—and beyond—has translated into something beyond trophies: serious wealth. After his epic win on Roland Garros last night, claiming his 5th Grand Slam title at the French Open 2025, netizens flooded in with congratulatory messages all over the world. Along with them, came the further speculations as to how much this recent win would add to this tennis star's net worth. As of June 2025, the 21-year-old tennis sensation boasts an estimated net worth of $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, a figure bolstered by over $41 million in career prize money, per ATP records (via Essentially Sports) But when it comes to off-court income, the numbers truly spike. How much does Carlos Alcaraz earn through his prize money With Grand Slam titles at the US Open (2022), Wimbledon (2023–24), the French Open (2024–25), Alcaraz is no stranger to the winner's circle—and its hefty reward. ATP stats confirm he has collected more than $41 million through tournament play alone. In 2024, his paydays included roughly $10.3 million from prize money and a staggering $32 million via endorsements. (via Essentially Sports) How much does Carlos Alcaraz earn through endorsements? What distinguishes Alcaraz isn't just court dominance—it's branding brilliance. The combination of explosive performance, youthful charisma, and high-profile partnerships affirms his status not just as an athlete, but as a global brand. More titles likely mean more prize money; more fanfare ensures bigger endorsement cheques. Carrying the mantle of a young icon isn't cheap—and brands are paying up. Alcaraz's endorsement portfolio features power players such as Nike, Rolex, BMW, Babolat, Calvin Klein, and ISDIN sunscreen. The breakdown? A tidy $10 million-plus annually from his Nike deal alone, and about $32 million in total sponsorship income in 2024. (via The Express) At tournaments and exhibitions, his star presence is worth its weight. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Forget Furosemide, Use This Household Item To Help Drain Edema Fluid WellnessGuide Learn more Undo Organizers reportedly drop $2 million just to have him play an exhibition match. Sinner vs. Alcaraz brief comparison on net worth Fellow 2000s phenomenon Jannik Sinner brings in a respectable $30 million net worth, with $11.6 million prize earnings and $15 million off-court. But Alcaraz leads the pack in combined earnings, closing the gap on the top tier of tennis royalty. (via Essentially Sports) Given his current trajectory—multiple Grand Slam wins, brand lining up to partner with the tennis star, and global appeal—Alcaraz's net worth could well crest the $100 million mark over the next few years, edge him into the financial elite alongside Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Easier to say,with the current Roland Garros win making it his 5th Grand Slam title, as Alcaraz steps onto the court next, the stakes won't just be trophies—they'll be brand value, sponsorship leverage, and career legacy. From prize purses to global ad campaigns, every rally pushes him closer to tennis's financial summit. At 21, he's already living the dream—and banking on it, too.

After French Open win, Carlos Alcaraz left distraught as Spain lose Nations League final
After French Open win, Carlos Alcaraz left distraught as Spain lose Nations League final

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

After French Open win, Carlos Alcaraz left distraught as Spain lose Nations League final

While Carlos Alcaraz had a day to remember at the French Open, he was left a bit disappointed at the end as Spain lost the UEFA Nations League final against Portugal on Sunday, June 8. Alcaraz was on top form on the day as he defeated Jannik Sinner with a stunning comeback in the men's singles final at Roland Garros to win his second consecutive French Open title. advertisementTrailing by two sets, the Spaniard made a comeback in the third set but found himself in deep trouble in the fourth one as Sinner had three championship points to his name with the score at 5-4. But Alcaraz was not only able to save it but pushed the game into the fifth one, which he ultimately won in a super tiebreak. While Alcaraz made a stunning comeback, Spain was on the receiving end of one from Portugal. After leading the game first through Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal, the European champions were pegged twice by Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. as they pushed the game into extra-time and then into penalties. In the shootout, Alvaro Morata missed a decisive spot-kick as Portugal converted all five of their penalties and took home the title. advertisement Alcaraz was shown on video after his title win, asking about the result of the Nations League final. When the Spaniard was told about the result, he was left visibly disappointed and started to talk to himself in a video that has since gone viral. You can see it below: La desilusin de Carlos Alcaraz por la derrota de Espaa en la Nations League Tanda de penaltis? @agarciamuniz #PartidazoCOPE El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) June 8, 2025This was Alcaraz' fifth grand slam win of his career as he defended his crown at the Roland Garros. This also helped him level a feat by his idol Rafael Nadal as he won his fifth grand slam title just like the Spanish legend at the age of 22 years, one month and three days. Alcaraz will now shift his focus to Wimbledon, where he is aiming to make it a hat-trick of wins. Must Watch

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store