For years, tennis fans wondered what the sport would look like after the legendary "Big Three"—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic—stepped away from the game. After Carlos Alcaraz’s epic five-set victory over Jannik Sinner in the French Open final, that question has been emphatically answered.
The 5-hour, 26-minute marathon—the longest Roland-Garros final in history—was a masterclass in resilience, shot-making, and mental fortitude. Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish phenom, clawed back from two sets down and saved three championship points to defeat the world No. 1, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2).
The match wasn’t just a battle for the Coupe des Mousquetaires—it was a statement. Federer himself weighed in on social media, declaring, "3 winners in Paris today: Carlos, Jannik, and the beautiful game of tennis. What a match!"
A Rivalry That’s Just Getting Started
This was the 12th meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner, but their first in a Grand Slam final. Given their ages (Alcaraz is 21, Sinner 22) and their rapid ascent, it certainly won’t be the last.
"Hopefully not the last time," Alcaraz said after the match. "Every time we face each other, we raise our level to the top."
Their rivalry already carries the hallmarks of tennis’ greatest duels—contrasting styles, relentless intensity, and a mutual push for excellence. Alcaraz thrives on explosive athleticism and creativity, while Sinner relies on precision, consistency, and ice-cold composure.
And the numbers back up their dominance: They’ve combined to win six of the last seven Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz’s Historic Rise Continues
With this win, Alcaraz became the youngest man to claim Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces (hard, grass, clay). At just 21, he now has three majors—the same number as Sinner—and remains undefeated in Grand Slam finals (3-0).
His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, pinpointed his greatest strength: "His ability to keep believing all the time, until the last ball is gone." That belief was on full display as he fought off Sinner’s championship points with fearless aggression.
Sinner’s Stellar Year—With One Notable Hurdle
Sinner, who will officially celebrate one full year as world No. 1 this week, has been nearly unstoppable. He’s won three of the last eight majors and boasts a 47-3 record since last year’s US Open.
Yet, all three of those losses? They’ve come against Alcaraz.
"I’m happy to be part of this," Sinner said after the match. "I would be even happier if I had the big trophy."
What’s Next? Wimbledon Looms Large
The tennis world won’t have to wait long for another potential chapter in this rivalry. Wimbledon begins on June 30, where Alcaraz is the two-time defending champion. Sinner, meanwhile, reached his first semifinal there last year.
If their Roland-Garros showdown was any indication, their next clash could be even more electrifying.
The Big Three’s Legacy Lives On
Federer once predicted that future champions would emerge to dominate the sport just as he, Nadal, and Djokovic did.
"It’s going to happen, inevitably," he said in 2019. "Players will have seen what we did, and they didn’t see just one guy doing it once every 30 years—they saw three guys doing it in the shortest period of time. Players are going to believe more."
Alcaraz and Sinner are proving him right. And if Sunday’s final was any indication, men’s tennis isn’t just surviving in the post-Big Three era—it’s thriving.