The reigning Australian Open champion, Sinner, looked set to claim his fourth Grand Slam title after surging to a two-set lead. However, the 22-year-old Alcaraz dug deep to mount an extraordinary fightback.

He turned the match around in the third set, and after a gruelling five hours and 29 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the young Spaniard clinched his fifth Grand Slam title in a thrilling contest.

Carlos Alcaraz. Photo: Roland Garros/Julien Crosnier/FFT

Alcaraz sealed the title with a 4–6, 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 7–6 victory, breaking Sinner’s Grand Slam streak, which included wins at the 2024 US Open in New York and the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne.

Reflecting on his win, Alcaraz said he couldn’t have chosen a better match for such a comeback than a Grand Slam final.

“I think the match had everything – some really good moments, some really bad ones,” Alcaraz said.

“I’m just really happy and proud of how I dealt with everything today. I mean, it wasn’t easy – it’s the first match where I’ve come back from two sets down. I don’t think there was a better occasion to do it than in a Grand Slam final.”

Alcaraz admitted he would’ve preferred to win in straight sets, but knew that nothing goes exactly according to plan in a final of this magnitude.

“I’d have preferred to win in three sets, honestly – I’m not going to lie. But when things go against you, you’ve just got to keep fighting,” he said.

Jannik Sinner. Photo: Roland Garros/Clément Mahoudeau/FFT

“It’s a Grand Slam final – there’s no time to be tired, no time to give up. It’s about finding your moment, your rhythm again, and going for it.

“I think real champions are made in moments like these – when you’re under pressure and manage to handle it in the best way possible. That’s what the great champions have always done.”

Meanwhile, on Saturday, 21-year-old Coco Gauff of the USA won her second Grand Slam title, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6–7, 6–2, 6–4 in the women’s singles final.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg