This Match Is Already Being Called One of the Greatest in Tennis History—But Is It Really That Legendary? Why Did Alcaraz Say Even He Couldn’t Tell If He’d Just Made His Biggest Mark Yet? And How Did Sinner Cope With a Loss That Nearly Broke Him After Five Hours of Epic Drama at Roland-Garros?

“A Match for the Ages”: Alcaraz and Sinner Reflect on Five-Hour Roland-Garros Final Epic—and What Really Happened in Their Minds

The air at Roland-Garros was thick with drama, tension and sweat. What transpired on the storied clay in the men’s singles final wasn’t just a tennis match—it was an encounter so breathtaking that journalists immediately compared it to the iconic Borg-McEnroe or Federer-Nadal duels. But what was it really like, from inside the cauldron of history? At the post-match press conference, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner peeled back the layers of emotion, doubt, energy and pride that made this five-hour marathon a modern classic.

Carlos Alcaraz: From Doubt to Destiny

Carlos Alcaraz, just 22 years old, had just become a five-time Grand Slam champion—matching the feat of his idol Rafael Nadal at an identical age. Still youthful, still raw in some ways, Alcaraz was asked if he understood the historical scope of what he had just accomplished. With the humility that has defined his career, Alcaraz admitted: “If people put this match amongst the greatest ever, it would be a huge honor. But honestly, I’ll leave that debate to historians and fans.” He confessed to not knowing if their battle truly matched the legendary Wimbledon 1980 showdown between Borg and McEnroe or the 2008 Federer-Nadal final, but he was simply happy to have inscribed his name into the annals of Roland-Garros.

Yet, getting to that point was anything but straightforward. Alcaraz was down two sets to love and trailing by a break in the third. “At that moment, I felt everything was going his way,” he admitted. “I didn’t know what I could do. He was landing every shot, moving incredibly, and absolutely dominating.” So how did Alcaraz claw his way back? He credits not just belief in himself, but a conscious effort to suppress negative thoughts. “I forced myself to keep fighting, to believe, and genuinely, I don’t think I could have done it without the support from the crowd. Their energy was electric. They kept me alive.”

Alcaraz has developed a reputation for clutch play in high-pressure moments. This final only reinforced that image—he played his best tennis when it mattered most: “In the tightest moments, I tell myself: just go for it. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. Today, that belief paid off.” He admitted to sometimes feeling the whole encounter was unreal, even as it unfolded: “There were points where the level was so high, and both of us were making impossible shots. For a moment, I wondered if this was real life.”

Legendary Points and the Pressure of Destiny

Pressed about specific points, Alcaraz laughed: “It’s difficult to choose just one. Saving three match points was amazing, but honestly, some of the rallies late in the fifth felt more memorable—I still don’t know how I won those games.” The significance of equaling Nadal’s five Slams by age 22 is not lost on him: “It’s destiny, I guess, and it’s something I’ll remember forever. But hopefully, this isn’t the end—hopefully, I’ll keep going.”

The matter of rivalry with Jannik Sinner was also raised. After 12 meetings, with this being their first Grand Slam final, Alcaraz was clear: “Every match we play lifts our level. It’s great for us, and for the fans. I’m sure Sinner will come back stronger; these aren’t easy matches to win. This rivalry isn’t finished.”

Alcaraz also offered a fascinating window into an elite mentality when trailing: “I’d rather win in three sets, of course! But when the odds are against you in a Slam final, there’s no time for tiredness or giving up. In those moments, that’s where real champions are made—handling pressure well is what sets them apart.”

Asked whether he truly believed he could come back from three match points down, Alcaraz smiled. “Absolutely. The match isn’t finished until the last point. I just believed I could be one of those players who saves match point in a Slam final and comes back to win. One point at a time. No doubt.”

Jannik Sinner: “Hurts the Most When You’re That Close”

For Jannik Sinner, the pain was still raw. “Of course, happy about the tournament, happy to play at this level, but obviously this one hurts,” he said. Sinner acknowledged the fourth set turned the match: “Serving for the match, match points—it’s hard not to think about the chances I had. Still, I tried to reset, start from zero for each set, stay mentally strong and not give anything away.”

Did he feel the physical effects, given his record in marathon matches? “Physically, I was fine—tired, but so was Carlos. It was a mental and physical battle. Sometimes, you have these days where you just can’t use your chances.” Comparing to earlier experiences, especially his epic at Wimbledon against Djokovic, Sinner explained: “Today was different. Here, I had my chances—I was up in both the third and fourth sets, had match points. Losing after all that is very tough, but you have to take positives. I’ve improved since last year.”

The emotional aftermath is profound, but grounding comes from home: “My family helps me. Success doesn’t change us…nothing changes with family. My dad was working and couldn’t be here, so as soon as I go home, it will all feel normal again.”

Football, Destiny—and a New Golden Era for Tennis?

Sinner, ever the student of tennis history, recognizes the significance of being part of such a classic: “It’s different now than in the days of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Borg…The game is faster, more physical. I’m honored to be part of a match people might remember as one of the best. Would I be happier with the big trophy? Of course. But you can’t change the result. And actually, being able to actually play this type of tennis for the crowd, for the world—it means a lot.”

The Legacy Begins Anew

As they left the press room, both Alcaraz and Sinner knew they’d made history, even if its precise measure will take years to settle. Two young men already burdened and blessed with comparisons to the legends of yesterday, but clearly destined to shape tomorrow’s tennis folklore. As Roland-Garros drew its curtains, one thing was clear: This rivalry is only just beginning—and future classics are all but guaranteed.

Will we remember this as the dawn of a new epic era? Only time will tell, but for now, Alcaraz and Sinner have ensured that the world will keep watching, breath held, for the next chapter.