Men’s singles tennis has gifted us some of the most iconic rivalries in sports — from the cool composure of Björn Borg against the fiery John McEnroe, the contrasting styles of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, to the timeless classics of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as well as the epic duels of Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
For almost five decades, these battles have defined eras and drawn millions to the game. But recently, with the rise of new disciplines like padel and pickleball, tennis has started to lose a bit of its mainstream shine. The sport has needed a spark — a new rivalry to reignite global interest and captivate fans once again.
Enter Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
In the recently concluded Roland-Garros final, these two delivered a five-set marathon that felt like a throwback to the most epic battles. Fast, fierce, and unrelenting, the match was a showcase of athleticism, skill, and sheer willpower. These youngsters traded blows like heavyweight champions, neither willing to concede ground, until one finally landed the knockout punch. It wasn’t just a tennis match — it was a reminder of why we fell in love with this sport in the first place.
Here, we take a look at Sinner and Alcaraz’s duels over the year, the Roland-Garros final, and how this rivalry could pan out over the coming years.
Previous battles
- Sinner and Alcaraz first met in a major tournament at the 2021 ATP Masters 1000 in Paris, which Alcaraz won in straight sets 7–6, 7–5.
- Their first Grand Slam meeting arrived in the Round of 16 of the 2022 Wimbledon, which Sinner won in four sets 6–1, 6–4, 6–7, 6–3.
- The two then met in the quarter-finals of the 2022 US Open, which Alcaraz won in five sets, coming back after saving a match point in the fourth set to win 6–3, 6–7(7), 6–7, 6–7, 7–5, 6–3.
- they next met in the semi-finals of the 2023 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells, which Alcaraz won in straight sets 7–6, 6–3.
- The next meeting was won by Sinner — in the semi-finals of the 2023 ATP Masters 1000 in Miami, he beat Alcaraz in three sets 6–7, 6–4, 6–2.
- Sinner beat Alcaraz again at the 2023 Beijing Open in the semi-finals in straight sets 7–6, 6–1.
- Alcaraz got the better of Sinner in the 2024 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells in the semi-finals, beating the Italian in three sets 1–6, 6–3, 6–2.
- Both Alcaraz and Sinner then contested in a hard-fought semi-final at the 2024 Roland-Garros, where Alcaraz won in five sets 2–6, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4, 6–3.
- Alcaraz ended up beating Sinner yet again in the final of the 2024 Beijing Open, winning in three sets 6–7, 6–4, 7–6.
- Coming back from a three-month ban, Sinner reached the final of the 2025 ATP Masters 1000 Rome. Back against his familiar foe, he lost to Alcaraz in straight sets 6–7, 1–6.
The 2025 Roland-Garros final
Their recent meeting turned out to be arguably the best of the lot. The 2025 French Open final will be remembered for all the right reasons.
Sinner raced into a two-set lead, winning the first 6–4 and the second in the tie-break 7–6. Alcaraz came back in the third and ended up winning it 6–4. The Spaniard was then down 5–3 in the fourth set and at 0–40 in his service game. While everyone thought it was over, one man believed, and he not only saved that game but also ended up winning the fourth set in a tie-break, forcing a fifth set.
With momentum on Alcaraz’s side, everyone thought Sinner was done, but the world No. 1 kept coming back and fought till the very end. However, it was Alcaraz who ended up defending his Roland-Garros title by winning the fifth-set tie-break.
Heartbreak for Sinner, as he was so close, but a miraculous comeback from Alcaraz, who showcased relentless mentality and willpower — hallmarks of a great champion.
Conclusion
While both Sinner and Alcaraz have already engaged in many battles, their most recent match-up in Paris was on a different level.
And what a match it was! Elite-level tennis for five hours and 29 minutes, with neither player giving an inch. This match not only enthralled audiences, but also proved that men’s tennis is in good hands and isn’t going to lose its popularity any time soon, thanks to these two incredible talents.
Alcaraz and Sinner are not only great players, but also shining examples of humility and sporting spirit. They will undoubtedly inspire a new generation to take up the sport, just as the legendary trio of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic inspired the current generation.
With Alcaraz having won all five finals he has contested and holding a superior head-to-head record over Sinner, it will be fascinating to see how the Italian adapts his game and mindset to overcome his most formidable foe.
No matter which of these two comes out on top in future matches, one thing is clear: SinCaraz is here to stay. Tennis fans can look forward to a decade of thrilling battles between these two extraordinary talents.
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