Carlos Alcaraz says he never stopped believing he could find a way to fight back against his great rival Jannik Sinner and win the French Open despite facing three championship points in an incredible five-hour-and-29-minute battle.
“The match is not finished until he wins the last point,” said Alcaraz. “It’s just one point away from losing the match, yeah, but a lot of times people came back from match-point down in the final of a grand slam or even in other matches.
“So I just wanted to be one of those players who saved match point in the grand slam final and ended up winning.
“I just believe all the time. I have never doubted myself. Even though in those match points down, I thought just one point at a time. Just one point and then after one point and then try to save that game and keep believing. That’s what I thought.”
Alcaraz produced one of the greatest comebacks as he recovered from the brink of defeat to oust Sinner, the world No 1, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) and win his fifth grand slam title in the longest French Open final in the open era.
Alcaraz, the second seed and defending champion, had trailed 3-5, 0-40 on his serve in the fourth set but he reeled off five points before forcing a fifth set. He has now won five grand slam titles at 22 years old.
“Today there were few moments of the match that, I mean, the level was insane,” said Alcaraz.
“Being Jannik on the other side of the net playing at such a great level, sometimes I thought: ‘What can I do? What can I do?’ He was moving unbelievable.
“He was hitting amazing shots. There were a few moments of the match that he couldn’t miss any ball. I mean, that level, it was really, really high.”
Sinner said it was difficult to accept losing such a difficult match but he will use the defeat to make him a better player.
He said: “I prepared for the grand slam with one tournament, also on clay, making the final. Of course, difficult to accept now because I had lots of chances, but this is the good part of the sport.
“Also today it got me the sad part, no? But if you watch only the sad part, you’re never going to come back, no? I believe I have improved as a player since last year, which is good. So we try to keep pushing.”
