Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rivalry is amazing for tennis
Alcaraz and Sinner, the world's top two players, contested their first grand slam final at the French Open – and it was an all-time classic.
Second seed Alcaraz came out on top after a five-hour, 29-minute marathon, the 22-year-old saving three championship points in the fourth set and winning after a tie-break in the fifth.
It was Alcaraz's second Roland Garros title, his fifth at grand slams, and means he and Italian world number one Sinner have shared the last six majors.
Anyone who feared men's tennis would struggle to fill the void left by the retirements of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and – in the not-too-distant future – Novak Djokovic, can rest easy.
'For the sport it's something amazing to have these players after Roger and Rafa – and Novak is still playing, of course – but this kind of rivalry that they have,' said former world number one Ferrero.
'Having these two guys fighting for big trophies, I think we have to be very happy about it in the sport of tennis.
'For them, for sure it's something that they raise their level every time that they go on the court.
'They know they have to play unbelievable tennis to beat the other guy and it's something that is going to help for sure each player to raise the level even more.'
Curiously, Alcaraz won major title number five at exactly the same age as his idol Nadal was when he won his fifth, in 2008 at Wimbledon; 22 years, one month and three days.
Nadal, of course, went on to collect 22 grand slam crowns including 14 at Roland Garros, and was honoured at this year's tournament following his retirement.
Legacy 👑 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/7YTP95kWFD
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 8, 2025
The coincidence was not lost on Ferrero, although he was keen to avoid too many comparisons between his fellow Spaniards.
'I think it's amazing,' added Ferrero. 'The same grand slams at the same age at the same day, it's something that looks unreal.
'It's something very curious. But we don't think too much about it. We try to write his own way.'
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25 minutes ago
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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.
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