Carlos Alcaraz lifts lid on breaking Jannik Sinner’s heart as iconic meeting discussed

Carlos Alcaraz has reflected on one of the most memorable moments of his young career — his epic comeback victory against Jannik Sinner in the French Open final — revealing how he maintained composure under unimaginable pressure and left his rival heartbroken.

The final, already heralded by tennis enthusiasts as one of the greatest matches in Grand Slam history, saw Alcaraz recover from two sets down to claim victory in a pulsating five-hour and 29-minute marathon. Sinner, the in-form Italian, had three championship points in the fourth set, and looked destined to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires — but Alcaraz had other plans.

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, the Spaniard opened up about the mental and emotional resilience that saw him turn the tide of the match. According to Alcaraz, not once did he allow himself to believe that defeat was inevitable, even as the odds mounted against him.

“I simply thought about coming back little by little, one point at a time, especially on those three match points,” he said. “Closing a major title is never easy and I knew I would have my chances. I stayed present and composed — that was the key.”

Alcaraz’s body language during the match told a story of its own. While Sinner seemed increasingly tight with each passing point near the finish line, Alcaraz projected confidence and calmness, something he now admits was a conscious decision.

“I knew things would not be easy for Jannik. That’s how I remained calm and focused. It was also a bit of the image of self-confidence I wanted to share. I did not doubt that I could come back for a second, and I tried to show that to my rival. As soon as you show weakness, there’s no chance of coming back — you’re lost,” Alcaraz explained.

Sinner, for his part, was crushed at the end of the match. The 22-year-old Italian had been on the cusp of claiming his first French Open title, only to be denied by his close friend and rival. Images of him sitting quietly after the defeat, head bowed, captured the emotional toll of the loss.

But this storied rivalry has never turned bitter. Despite the high stakes and intense competition, Alcaraz emphasized that their relationship has remained strong. In fact, both players frequently train together and support one another off the court.

“Trash-talking gets a lot of attention,” Alcaraz acknowledged. “People really like the idea that there is friction between us. That’s what sells. But although tennis is an individual sport, we are with the same players every week, day in and day out.”

He continued: “Jannik and I, who have had great battles on the court, see each other a lot off of it. We talk, we train together sometimes. And in the end, you forge a good relationship, a beautiful relationship. We want to win and beat each other, but then off court, being good people and getting along is another matter. For me, that is one of the virtues and values of sport.”

Sinner would eventually have his revenge at Wimbledon just weeks later, defeating Alcaraz in the semi-finals in straight sets. But the shadow of the Roland Garros final still looms large — it was a test of character, endurance, and mental strength that will be remembered for years to come.

For Alcaraz, the win wasn’t just about defending his title — it was about proving to himself that he could fight through adversity and emerge victorious, even against one of the best players in the world, on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Now, with the US Open on the horizon, both Alcaraz and Sinner will be aiming to add another Grand Slam to their name. For the fans, the prospect of another clash between the two young titans is tantalizing — and inevitable.

The rivalry, full of respect and sportsmanship, is a refreshing reminder of how intense competition doesn’t have to come at the cost of mutual admiration. It’s also a beacon of hope for the future of tennis, promising decades of high-level matchups and emotionally charged battles.

Carlos Alcaraz may have broken Jannik Sinner’s heart that day in Paris, but he also helped forge one of the sport’s most iconic and compelling rivalries — one that is only just beginning.