Carlos Alcaraz kept hold of his French Open trophy after a five-set victory over Jannik Sinner that needs to be made into a film. American film director Spike Lee was in the centre court audience along with veteran actor Dustin Hoffman. Just saying.
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Looking for entertainment? Where better to find it than at the French Open. For five hours and 29 minutes, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner gave us thrills and spills on centre court. Alcaraz defended his crown and emulated his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal who pulled off the feat numerous times as he clocked up 14 trophies. Players including Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl and Gustavo Kuerten have also won two on the trot since tennis was opened up to professional players in 1968. The 2025 French Open crown becomes a fifth trophy for Alcaaz at one of the prestigious Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.
it's the length, stupid.
Always good to inject a bit of politics into the review. So apologies to James Carville for playing with his insight. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo came out early on Day 15 to say what a wonderful event the 2025 French Open has been. Well, she would say that wouldn't she? And since the review wants to go back next year, we're in no position to nitpick. Mauresmo was pressed on the issue of the lack of women's matches in the night session. The tournament that purports to be among the best in the world appears to be hamstrung. "I always talk about the length of the matches, men compared to women," said Mauresmo. "I think we wouldn't be having this conversation if we had the same format for both games. In my opinion it's the length or the possible length of the match that is making it hard for us in terms of scheduling." Et voilà. No women's matches. So, it's a size thing. Strap for some gender politics.
Super Rafa
A moving tribute took place for honcho extraordinaire Rafael Nadal on the first Sunday at the French Open to salute his dazzling achievements. And there are moves afoot to make sure Nadal remains inextricably liked with the place that helped to define him. Now that all the bally-hoo of the tribute and the competition are over, French Open tournament director says there will be a powwow with Nadal to see what he can do for the French Open. "We will be resuming our discussions so that this common story that the tournament has had with Rafa over the past 20 years may continue in one way or another," said Mauresmo. "So, yes, there is a common desire and we will find out how to do it." Global warms the cockles of the review's heart.
Italian job
Well, even if Jannik Sinner didn't succeed, there was happiness for Italy as the Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini won the women's doubles title. The duo, who lost in last year's final to Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova, beat Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunić 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 to lift the trophy. "Last year we were close to it," said Paolini. "But I am happy that this year we managed to win the trophy. It's an amazing feeling. It was a tough match. They were playing good, tactically also."
Super respect
Jannik Sinner's relentless, suffocating style offered the perfect foil for the mercurial flights of Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles final which will surely figure on the list of greatest matches of all time. It had cadences, drama and scintillating quality. And a champions in victory and defeat. "Making the final, this is the good part of the sport," said Sinner and hour or so after the five and a half hour battle. "Also today it got me the sad part, no? But, you know, 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."
