Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick told his “Served” podcast listeners following last summer’s French Open final that he had just witnessed “easily one of the greatest matches of all time. Anyone who doesn’t think so is just living in their own nostalgia.’’
For 5 hours, 29 minutes, the 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz and 23-year-old Jannik Sinner left no doubt they are in position to pick up where the Big Three left off. Alcaraz survived 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6, coming back from two sets down and then saving three match points in the fourth set before breaking Sinner when the Italian served for the match. Alcaraz failed to hold at 6-5 in the fifth set, setting up a dramatic 10-point tiebreak for the title. The Spaniard raised his level even further, hitting four clean winners during a 10-2 sprint to the finish. He ended it with a running forehand passing shot, then fell to his back in relief and disbelief.
The two look destined to carry the sport forward, but it is doubtful they will ever have another match like the one on Court Philippe-Chatrier in 2025.
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