Epic Roland Garros Showdown: Alcaraz Defends Title in Record Breaking Comeback, Earns Gauff’s Heartfelt Salute

Carlos Alcaraz staged one of the greatest comebacks in French Open history on Sunday, June 8, 2025, rallying from a two‐set deficit to stun world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a marathon five‐hour, 29‐minute final. After losing the first two sets 4 - 6, 6 - 7 (4), the 22-year-old Spaniard battled back 6 - 4, 7 - 6 (3), 7 - 6 (10 - 2), surmounting three championship points in the fourth set and capturing his second consecutive Roland-Garros title and fifth Grand Slam overall.

The melodrama was acted out on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where Alcaraz's risky shot-making and persistent court coverage gradually wore away Sinner's balance. With the clay-court fortress collapsing around him, the Italian had three opportunities to serve out the match at 5 - 4 in the fourth set, only to be rebuffed by Alcaraz's summoning of the battling spirit of champions past. In the deciding super tie-break, the Spaniard's precision and drop-shot magic were uncontainable.

Hours after the final whistle, new women's champion Coco Gauff fresh from her historic clay-court victory—got on social media to congratulate her "travel buddy" on an "amazing comeback," recalling their charmed sightseeing trip to Beijing's Forbidden City after the 2024 China Open. Gauff's Instagram story read, "Congratulations @carlitosalcarazz amazing comeback!! We ran back Beijing," echoing on X: "We had to run Beijing back for the one time! congratulations @carlosalcaraz on an incredible win! You are amazing!".

As Alcaraz lifted La Coupe des Mousquetaires amidst a red-clay shower, Paris saw a passing of the torch moment two generational greats forging a rivalry that will define tennis life after the Big Three.