Was Alcaraz v Sinner the Greatest Final of All Time?

Introduction

Sunday, June 8th marked a definitive moment in men’s tennis, signalling the dawn of a new era led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. These two players have dominated the men’s game over the past two seasons, and their meeting at Roland Garros was the first time they faced each other in a Grand Slam final.

What unfolded on the historic red clay of Paris was a classic showdown between the two best players in the sport. Alcaraz saved three championship points in a thrilling contest that lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes, making it the longest French Open final ever. This match was notable for featuring two players born in the 2000s competing in a Grand Slam final, and it certainly lived up to the hype surrounding a match between the world’s No. 1 and No. 2 players.

An All-Time Classic?

Matches that are heavily publicised often fail to meet expectations, but the 2025 French Open final exceeded them in every way. The exceptional quality of tennis displayed by these two remarkable players, along with the match's length, cements its status as an era-defining event. Sinner’s ball striking during the first 2 and ¾ sets was sensational as he took control in his first Roland Garros final.

Alcaraz, the defending champion, demonstrated incredible resilience when he faced three championship points at 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 3-5, 0-40. He managed to hold serve and then broke Sinner’s serve in the following game, taking the fourth set in a tiebreaker. At the beginning of the fifth set, it seemed Alcaraz had finally distanced himself from his fierce rival by breaking Sinner’s serve again in the opening game, appearing set to claim his 5th Grand Slam title.

However, just as Alcaraz had done in the fourth set, Sinner displayed the heart of a champion by breaking Alcaraz’s serve when the Spaniard was serving for the title. The match eventually proceeded to a championship tiebreak, where Alcaraz finally pulled ahead of his Italian adversary, securing his 2nd Roland Garros title with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.

As the dust settled on this epic contest, reminiscent of the era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, a pressing post-match question arose: where does this marathon match rank among other all-time great Grand Slam finals?

The Best Matches Ever

There is no doubt that the 2025 French Open final has secured a spot among the greatest matches in tennis history. For some, it might even be considered the greatest of all time. Whether it takes that title remains to be seen, but here are three other contenders for the title of the greatest Grand Slam final ever.

• Wimbledon 2008: Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7

  For many, this match is simply the greatest tennis match ever played. Nadal claimed his first Wimbledon title by defeating Federer, who was pursuing his sixth consecutive title at SW19. For 4 hours and 48 minutes, these two great rivals fought intensely, with Nadal ending Federer’s 65-match winning streak on grass. As was typical at Wimbledon during those years, rain delays played a role, and Nadal ultimately triumphed in near darkness on Centre Court.

• Wimbledon 1980: Bjorn Borg def. John McEnroe 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 8-6

  Long before the Nadal-Federer clash in 2008, another Wimbledon final was often regarded as the greatest match ever. In 1980, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe’s intense rivalry peaked as Borg claimed his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title in a thrilling five-set showdown. The fourth-set tiebreak exemplified the skill and courage of both players, with 34 points played; McEnroe managed to force a fifth set. In that final set, neither player would back down until the 14th game, when Borg sealed the victory with a break of serve.

• Australian Open 2012: Novak Djokovic def. Rafael Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5

  This match, the longest Grand Slam final in history, is also a strong contender for the title of the best. At the peak of their powers, Djokovic and Nadal showcased an extraordinary level of tennis over 5 hours and 53 minutes. The remarkable quality of play had fans in awe as both men delivered an unforgettable performance in Melbourne. Djokovic ultimately emerged victorious, a notable accomplishment given that his semi-final against Andy Murray had also gone five sets.

Conclusion

The discussion surrounding the 2025 Roland Garros final highlights the exceptional standard that Alcaraz and Sinner set in Paris. Where this rivalry heads next is uncertain, but with these two players, anything is possible. Does anyone have tickets for Wimbledon?

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