
5 things we learned from the 2025 French Open following two epic finals
Do believe the hype
Carlos Alcaraz (right) and runner-up Jannik Sinner look set for an enduring rivalry (Lindsey Wasson/AP)
The dawn of a new era in men's tennis finally arrived, and in some style. Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated the sport for two years but, like a pair of heavyweight boxers ducking one another, they had never met in a grand slam final. Roland Garros set the stage and the best players on the planet delivered a stone-cold classic, with Alcaraz saving three championship points before winning the longest final in French Open history, a five-set, five-hour 29-minute epic. It was the first major final between two men born in this century and on this evidence, there will be plenty more. Just one thing. Lose the rugby shirts, guys.
Coco's star shines
Coco Gauff dazzled as the women's champion (Thomas Padilla/AP)
It is hard to believe Gauff is still only 21, having burst on to the scene six years ago at Wimbledon. The charismatic American's victory over Aryna Sabalenka for a second grand slam title showed such maturity, as did her comments afterwards about trying to be a beacon of hope for 'Americans who look like me' amid a period of political turmoil in her homeland. She became the first American idol of Roland Garros since Serena Williams a decade earlier and has time on her side to collect many more titles.
Aryna angry again
Aryna Sabalenka lost a second-straight grand slam final (Lindsey Wasson/AP)
Sabalenka remains the best player on the planet – the runaway world number one – and will head to Wimbledon as a big favourite for the title. The Belarusian has made huge strides to exorcise the demons that used to dog her in big matches and has three grand slam titles to show for it. But she has lost the last two major finals, including a surprise defeat to Madison Keys in Australia, and the mental fragility seemed to return against Gauff with 70 unforced errors telling their own story. A reset is required if the 27-year-old is to add a Wimbledon crown to her US and Australian Open titles.
Novak's Aussie farewell?
Novak Djokovic admitted he may have played his last match at Roland Garros after going down in three tight sets to Sinner in the semi-finals. He proved once again he can still mix it with the elite, especially after a superb four-set dismantling of Alexander Zverev in the last eight. But at 38, he knows he is running out of time. Will he hold his retirement party at next January's Australian Open, a tournament he has won 10 times and which he feels is his best chance to land that elusive record 25th grand slam title?
The Brits are all right
Jack Draper reached the fourth round (Jon Buckle/PA)
Jack Draper led the British challenge and, as predicted, got the furthest. Yet he was probably the biggest disappointment. Seeded fifth and drawn to meet Sinner in the quarter-finals, he fell in the fourth round to world number 62 Alexander Bublik. Still, he got his first Roland Garros wins under his belt, as did Jacob Fearnley, Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal, while Cameron Norrie enjoyed a much-needed run to the third round following a tough 18 months. Then there was Hannah Klugman, at 16 a first British junior finalist in almost 50 years. It was all a vast improvement on last year's first-round wipe-out.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Carlos Alcaraz set to lose huge chunk of his £2.1million French Open winnings due to little-known rule
Alcaraz achieved a feat only bettered by two tennis icons NET NEGATIVE Carlos Alcaraz set to lose huge chunk of his £2.1million French Open winnings due to little-known rule Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CARLOS ALCARAZ is set to lose a huge amount of his £2.1million French Open prize money. The Spaniard beat Jannik Sinner in a thrilling final that lasted five hours and 29 minutes on Sunday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Carlos Alcaraz won his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Alcaraz saved three match points in the fourth set as he staged an incredible comeback to seal victory 4-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-6. It was his second French Open crown in as many years and his win earned him a sweet £2.13m. Rules state that tax on prize money pocketed must be paid in the country where the tournament is hosted. That means Alcaraz has had to give 30 per cent to the French government as that is the local tax rate on earnings of that size. READ MORE IN TENNIS Not in good Nick Nick Kyrgios 'axed from BBC's Wimbledon coverage' amid row over pundit It sees the 22-year-old cough up a staggering £639,000. However, his cheque will still be worth a whopping £1,491,000. Alcaraz will not have to pay income tax on his Roland Garros cash in Spain. But as he is still registered as a resident in his homeland, any other earnings like sponsorship deals could come within the Spanish government's grasp. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Alcaraz has a won £35.3m in prize money alone across his career so far. Before the French Open began, he told the Tennis Channel what he spends his cash on, saying: "Not after every big win, but for example at the Grand Slams, if I reach the semi-finals, I like to buy myself a new pair of sneakers. Carlos Alcaraz stuns French Open fans with classy gesture as he wins rally but concedes point due to little-known rule "If I feel like I had a good season, at the end of the year I'll buy myself a nice watch." Alcaraz has now won five Grand Slam titles - with only Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal reaching that milestone at a younger age.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Carlos Alcaraz set to lose huge chunk of his £2.1million French Open winnings due to little-known rule
CARLOS ALCARAZ is set to lose a huge amount of his £2.1million French Open prize money. The Spaniard beat Jannik Sinner in a thrilling final that lasted five hours and 29 minutes on Sunday. 1 Alcaraz saved three match points in the fourth set as he staged an incredible comeback to seal victory 4-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-6. It was his second French Open crown in as many years and his win earned him a sweet £2.13m. Rules state that tax on prize money pocketed must be paid in the country where the tournament is hosted. That means Alcaraz has had to give 30 per cent to the French government as that is the local tax rate on earnings of that size. It sees the 22-year-old cough up a staggering £639,000. However, his cheque will still be worth a whopping £1,491,000. Alcaraz will not have to pay income tax on his Roland Garros cash in Spain. But as he is still registered as a resident in his homeland, any other earnings like sponsorship deals could come within the Spanish government's grasp. Alcaraz has a won £35.3m in prize money alone across his career so far. Before the French Open began, he told the Tennis Channel what he spends his cash on, saying: "Not after every big win, but for example at the Grand Slams, if I reach the semi-finals, I like to buy myself a new pair of sneakers. "If I feel like I had a good season, at the end of the year I'll buy myself a nice watch." Alcaraz has now won five Grand Slam titles - with only Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal reaching that milestone at a younger age.


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Deontay Wilder shows off incredible state-of-the-art home boxing gym ahead of former world champ's return fight
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DEONTAY WILDER has invested in a state-of-the-art home boxing gym ahead of his return fight. The former WBC champion looks to revive his career on July 27 against little-known Tyrrell Herndon. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Deontay Wilder has invested in a state-of-the-art home boxing gym Credit: Instagram @Bronzebomber 5 It comes ahead of his return Credit: Instagram @Bronzebomber 5 The gym has several custom boxing bags 5 There are LED lights fitted in for effect And he will do so having prepared for the bout in his custom-built gym dubbed "King of God's Army." It features a full-sized ring, several different boxing bags all with Wilder's logo printed out on it and LED lights to give a "dramatic" feel. There is also a lounge area and a massage table to relax in after tough sessions and motivational messages surround the building. Wilder purchased a £1.3million home in California in 2020 while still living in his £1m mansion in Lake Tuscaloosa. READ MORE IN BOXING WOULD BE WILD Wilder emerges as shock contender for AJ as Whyte rematch is ruled out The American was knocked out last June by Zhilei Zhang, 42, having been stunned on points by Joseph Parker, 33, in December 2023. His last win came in 2022 when he knocked out Robert Helenius in one round. Wilder was twice lined up to fight Anthony Joshua but blew his opportunity after defeats to Parker and Zhang. Joshua, 35, later lost to Daniel Dubois, 27, and has since been recovering from an elbow injury that required surgery. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He is eyeing a return before the year ends as Frank Smith - CEO of Matchroom Boxing who promote AJ - named Wilder as a potential opponent. Smith told Boxing News: "Do you know what fight I love? If he comes through his warm-up, Deontay Wilder. "This sport is about narrative. It's about buying into fights that people have interest in and that's a fight that everyone would still have interest in. "Regardless of whether it didn't happen five years ago, people still want to see it now. So hopefully he can come through his fight."