After one of the most physically demanding and emotionally charged finals in Grand Slam history, Jannik Sinner walked off Court Philippe-Chatrier without the trophy. For the uninitiated, the World No. 1 took a hard-hitting loss to on-court rival Carlos Alcaraz.
The match also scripted history, becoming the second-longest Grand Slam final in the Open Era. Though visibly disappointed, Sinner chose to take the loss with his head held high.
“It was a very high-level match. It was long. And it happens,” Sinner said calmly in his post-match press conference. “We saw it in the past with other players. Today it happened to me. We try to delete it somehow and take the positives and keep going. There’s no other way.”
While some observers noted his less-than-stellar record in marathon matches lasting over four hours, Sinner was quick to dismiss comparisons, saying this battle against Alcaraz stood on its own.
“You cannot compare this match with other matches, I believe. Physically, I was quite fine. Of course, tired. As he was tired too. It was a physical match. It was a mental match,” he explained. “What can you do? Now knowing the result, it is what it is. You can’t really change it.”
Despite the loss, Sinner continues to prove why he’s one of the rising tennis professionals. In the last year alone, he’s bagged the Australian Open and the US Open, and now pushed his arch rival to the brink in Paris.
His consistency and composure, even in defeat, underline the growth of a champion in the making.
Sinner also acknowledged the bigger picture. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner now winning the last six Grand Slam titles between them, the torch has been passed.
For Sinner, the loss isn’t the end of the story, but just another chapter in his journey.
“I’m still happy to be part of this match,” he said, with a faint smile. “It was one of those battles where both players left everything on court. That’s what sport is all about.”
Jannik Sinner may not have lifted the trophy this time, but in heart, fight, and sportsmanship, he continues to show he’s built for greatness. And knowing him, he’ll be back on this stage—and soon.
