"Nine Lives" Carlos Alcaraz

Like a "cat with nine lives," so it is with Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish tennis player survived a situation that brought him very close to defeat, then emerged victorious, becoming the champion of the French Open Grand Slam.

Alcaraz often demonstrates his ability to endure in difficult situations, although he is not an unbeatable tennis player. However, the men's singles final of the 2025 French Open became the most epic moment of his career.

The final against Jannik Sinner at Philippe Chatrier Court, Roland Garros, Paris, on Sunday (8/6/2025), was the most challenging match for both players. The match, won by Alcaraz with a score of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (10-2), lasted for five hours and 29 minutes, making it the longest final in the history of the French Open during the Open Era (since 1968). The previous longest final occurred in 1982 when Mats Wilander defeated Guillermo Vilas in a match lasting four hours and 42 minutes.

This title marks the fifth for Alcaraz in Grand Slam events. His first title was achieved at the 2022 US Open at the age of 19. Subsequently, he won Wimbledon 2023, which he defended a year later. The trophy for the 2025 French Open was also obtained with his status as the defending champion.

Of the five, the trophy of The Musketeers (the symbol of the men's singles champion of the French Open) is the most difficult to obtain. Alcaraz had to play four sets in three rounds and three sets in only two rounds. In the final, the challenge was much more difficult.

Competing in five sets is not unfamiliar to Sinner and Alcaraz. They experienced it during two other moments, namely the semifinals of the 2024 French Open and the semifinals of the 2022 US Open; however, none lasted up to five hours. The results of the matches and the final outcomes of both tournaments were the same as the 2025 French Open, won by Alcaraz.

With the status of being the two best tennis players, at least since 2024, they demonstrate all elements of athletic ability at a high level. In technical terms, the audience is repeatedly captivated during exchanges of shots from various angles.

From a non-technical perspective, their fighting spirit did not wane from the first point to the last. The first two games even lasted for 20 minutes.

When Alcaraz launches a forehand cross with a sharp angle, Sinner can return it with a sharper angle. Often, both of them sprint to catch the ball that falls near the net because the opponent does a dropshot. The shot can be returned with a cross dropshot far from where the opponent is standing or bounced so that the ball falls to the back of the court.

They also repeatedly launched passing shots that resulted in winners. The shots that always elicited applause and shouts of "Wooww!" from the audience were done in a defensive position. The ball from the passing shot flew quickly, passing the opponent who was attacking near the net.

A ball that falls along the sidelines or at the back of the court usually becomes a very exciting moment. Former world number one tennis player, Andre Agassi, who presented the Musketeers Trophy to the champion, repeatedly shook his head while saying, "I don’t believe it!"

Sinner actually has the opportunity, and a very significant one, to counter the analysis of the renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou. The former coach of Serena Williams, who is currently mentoring Naomi Osaka, stated that Alcaraz can be defeated by other players, but he is the only player who can defeat Sinner as an athlete feared by many other players.

That analysis was almost broken when Sinner won the first two sets and took the lead by breaking Alcaraz's serve early in the third. Unlike his performance before the 2023 season, Sinner in the last two years has been a Sinner who can play more aggressively from the baseline.

He was able to consistently attack from the back of the court with sharper shots. Previously, his game was relatively monotonous, lacking in shot variations, making it appear as though he was merely returning the ball without purpose.

Alcaraz has always been under pressure playing in that manner. Since winning the semifinal, Alcaraz has indeed stated that Sinner always makes him suffer in every match. Before meeting in the French Open final on Sunday night, they had faced each other 11 times, with Alcaraz holding a seven-match advantage, including in the last four encounters.

"Jannik can destroy any player. I always suffer against him, even when I win," Alcaraz said.

The suffering was experienced again, and this time in a more difficult situation. Alcaraz was on the brink of defeat with a score of 3-5 (0-40) in the fourth set while he was in the position to serve. That moment meant Alcaraz could not afford to make any mistakes, at least three times, to bring the score to 3-5 (40-40). However, more than that, he managed to hold his serve and extended the match to the fifth set.

Philippe Chatrier Court was roaring with the shouts of its fans. The coaching team led by former world number one tennis player from Spain, Juan Carlos Ferrero, began to appear somewhat relieved.

Their emotions, the parents and siblings of Alcaraz, the spectators, and Alcaraz himself erupted when the final point in the fifth set was scored. Ferrero carried Alcaraz while embracing him tightly and crying as Alcaraz approached the team in the stands.

Before that moment, Alcaraz lay on the field crying because he had managed to save himself from danger. His ability was akin to that of a cat, which is said to have nine lives.

Although that phrase is merely a metaphor, cats indeed possess remarkable adaptability and reflexes to survive in dangerous situations. And, Alcaraz did just that.

"I would prefer to win in three sets, but when the situation is contrary to what I want, I must continue to fight. This is a Grand Slam final; there is no time to be tired and give up," commented Alcaraz, who experienced being two sets down for the first time and had to win the next three sets to claim victory.

According to international tennis observers, the final between Sinner and Alcaraz is likened to other epic matches, one of which is the 1980 Wimbledon final when Bjorn Borg defeated his arch-rival, John McEnroe.

There was also the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final. The match, which Nadal won in five sets, has been rated as the greatest tennis match in history.

Federer even praised Sinner's match against Alcaraz. On his Instagram account, the 20-time Grand Slam champion posted two photos, one with Alcaraz and another with Sinner. Federer wrote, "Three champions in Paris today: @carlitosalcarazz @janniksin and beautiful tennis. An extraordinary match."

Alcaraz expressed his gratitude for the emergence of such an assessment. "If anyone compares it that way, I feel very honored. Those matches are a part of tennis history. I do not know if the level of our matches is the same as that. I will leave this assessment to others," said Alcaraz.

Sinner is pleased to have been involved in such a dramatic Grand Slam final, although, of course, he cannot hide his disappointment. Moreover, he was in such excellent physical condition. Therefore, as he stated during the press conference, the final against Alcaraz was a battle of mental strength.

"The match earlier took place at a very high and prolonged level. However, I will erase it from my memory, but I will still take the positive side from it. There is no other way but that," he said.

For Alcaraz, the extremely challenging situation in this fifth Grand Slam final is one that can only be overcome by someone with a champion's mentality. "A true champion can withstand great pressure throughout their career. I have learned to do that, to feel comfortable in high-pressure situations and not to be afraid to face them," he stated. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)

- The fifth victory in five Grand Slam finals after the US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2023, the French Open 2024, and Wimbledon 2024.

- Achieving the fifth Grand Slam title at the age of 22 years, one month, and three days is the same as when Rafael Nadal won his fifth Grand Slam, which was at Wimbledon in 2008.

- Matching Roger Federer, who won in his first five Grand Slam finals. Federer was champion at Wimbledon 2003, Australian Open 2004, Wimbledon 2004, US Open 2004, and Wimbledon 2005.

- The only ninth son in the Open era to win a Grand Slam final after losing the first two sets. The last player to do this was Sinner when he won the Australian Open against Daniil Medvedev.