– Have they ever seen a better final here? asked commentator Asbjørn Myhre as the match drew to a close.
By then the players had been in action for almost five and a half hours in Paris.
– No, replied tennis expert Christer Francke.
Didn’t dare to look
Tennis history was made in Paris on Sunday. Legends lined the stands to watch the match between the world number one and number two.
Time and again, the players delivered world-class plays, but they were unable to outwit the man on the opposite side of the net.
– He hardly dares to watch, said expert commentator Christer Francke when the legend André Agassi appeared on the TV screen with his face hidden in his hands.
LEGEND: André Agassi.
National team manager at the Norwegian Tennis Association Fredrik Loven is very impressed with what he saw in Paris.
– A wild final. It’s a match we’ll remember for a long time, both in terms of the game and the level of excitement, says Loven.
Sinner had three match points in the third set, but had to be beaten by Alcaraz who fought back.
– He is a unique performer. He loves all challenges. He sees opportunities where others see problems.
– How can Casper Ruud reach this level like in the Roland-Garros final?
– How can Casper Ruud reach this level like in the Roland-Garros final?
– Just take it as motivation. It shows that it is possible to raise the level further and look at the training work. It is possible, but you have to see it as motivation.
– Didn’t know what to do
This was the first time they met to fight on the biggest stage.
This was the first time they met to fight on the biggest stage.This was the first time they met to fight on the biggest stage.This was the first time they met to fight on the biggest stage.
Sinner seemed to be in complete control and led 2–0 after two sets. Then Alcaraz woke up, slowly but surely wearing down the world number one and eating his way into the match.
Sinner seemed to be in complete control and led 2–0 after two sets.Sinner seemed to be in complete control and led 2–0 after two sets.Sinner seemed to be in complete control and led 2–0 after two sets.Then Alcaraz woke up, slowly but surely softening the world number one and eating his way into the match.Then Alcaraz woke up, slowly but surely softening the world number one and eating his way into the match.Then Alcaraz woke up, slowly but surely softening the world number one and eating his way into the match.
– Honestly, I didn’t know what to do to win. He had three match points and served for the match, Alcaraz told Eurosport according to SVT.
– One of the biggest comebacks not only in tennis, but in sports history, says Myhre.
THE CLOCK IS MOVED: Here the game clock has just ticked five hours. After five hours and 29 minutes the game was over.
CHEER: Carlos Alcaraz clenches his fist during the match against Jannik Sinner.
It is Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam title, and his second in a row at Roland Garros.
It is Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam title, and his second in a row at Roland Garros.It is Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam title, and his second in a row at Roland Garros.It is Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam title, and his second in a row at Roland Garros.
– It is perhaps the best Roland-Garros final we have ever seen, says expert Christer Francke.
Honored by the stars
– What an incredible finish! Congratulations to Carlos Alcaraz, and to Jannik Sinner for a great match, writes tennis legend Rafael Nadal on X.
– Carlos Alcaraz delivered the world’s best show, writes the Spanish newspaper Marca.
– Thanks to both of you for an incredible finale, writes Casper Ruud on X.
IMPRESSED: Casper Ruud, pictured here from his victory in Madrid earlier this year.
– Extremely impressive, says father Christian Ruud to NRK about Alcaraz’s turnaround.
Broken: – Won’t sleep well
– We tried our best and gave it our all. It’s very tough now, but it’s going well, Jannik Sinner told the crowd at the ceremony after the match.
He also stated:
– I’m not going to sleep well tonight.
– He may have nightmares about this match for a few years, says tennis expert Francke.
LOST: Jannik Sinner.