French Open 2025 serves up a final ‘we will never forget’ - Reaction to famous triumph for Carlos Alcaraz over Jannik Sinner at Roland-Garros

Carlos Alcaraz won his second French Open title and fifth major in unbelievable fashion in Paris, enduring everything Jannik Sinner could throw at him to come through in five sets 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(2). It was the longest final in French Open history and the second longest of the Open era, a match that TNT Sports expert Jim Courier says will live long in the memory.

Watch memorable moment Alcaraz wins French Open after incredible Championship tie-break

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Carlos Alcaraz needed every bit of fight he had in his legs to overcome the world No. 1 in Jannik Sinner, recovering from two sets down to prevail in the longest French Open final in history.

The Spaniard defended his title and saved three Championship points along the way as he beat the Italian 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(2) in a match of unbelievable quality.

There were twists and turns, sublime shots across every set, high drama and also good sportsmanship from both players.

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But in the end, the Spaniard raised his level once again despite the clock ticking towards five-and-a-half hours, playing lights out tennis in the Championship tie-break to build a big lead before a sizzling winner down the line sealed the title.

"The first one has to probably be the sweetest but how can any of them compare to what he has just endured?" Jim Courier asked on commentary on TNT Sports.

"Spare a thought for Jannik Sinner. What a tournament he put together. But he couldn’t quite shut the door on his greatest rival.

'One of the greatest matches' - Reaction to incredible final as Alcaraz edges out Sinner

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"And their first Grand Slam final is something we will never forget. Celestial tennis from the Spaniard."

Sinner had started the better of the two, with huge hitting from the back of the court forcing Alcaraz to expend precious energy running from side to side. But the points and sets were tight - and it always looked like the Spaniard might force his way back into the match.

That he did, helped by the crowd who he goaded into cheering even louder, cupping his ear behind every brutal winner. And the more they reacted, the more the Spaniard was able to respond.

"There are some days tennis players never forget - these major finals, win or lose, they are imprinted in your body. You are never more alive when you play moments like this," added Courier.

"They brought us a gift, that is what this match was. Alcaraz played well and took it from him. It was such a high level, there is so much for them to revel in."

Sinner had his chances, and those three Championship points after three hours and 44 minutes are sure to haunt him in the coming days, weeks and months.

Watch emotional scene as Alcaraz celebrates with family and team after French Open glory

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He did not so much lose those opportunities as much as Alcaraz grabbed them from him, wresting control of the fourth set and maintaining that momentum into the fifth before ultimately needing a Championship tie-break to seal the title.

"King Carlos the second, the red king in the longest Roland-Garros final. A saga. Five-and-a half-hours caked in utter brilliance and none of us will ever forget this Sunday in Paris," crooned commentator Nick Mullins.

At five hours and 29 minutes, this final sits only behind the 2012 Australian Open battle between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in length, which clocked in at five hours 53 minutes.

It was not just the length of this final that will be remembered, however, but the quality of the tennis on show and the fact it is the first Grand Slam final between two players expected to have a decade-long rivalry at the top of the men’s game.

And if this epic is anything to go by, the tennis world is in for a treat every time they play in the coming years.