Jannik Sinner: 'Doesn't Get Any Bigger' Than Facing Alcaraz In French Open Final

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Last Updated:June 07, 2025, 09:24 IST

Jannik Sinner says it can't get 'any bigger' than facing Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final.

Jannik Sinner expressed that facing Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final “doesn’t get any bigger," after halting Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title in the semifinals on Friday.

The world number one, Sinner, overcame a determined Djokovic with an impressive 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) victory on Court Philippe Chatrier, securing his spot in the Roland Garros final for the first time.

On Sunday, Sinner will compete against Alcaraz for a Grand Slam title for the first time, adding another chapter to their intense rivalry.

“The stage, it doesn’t get any bigger now. Grand Slam finals against Carlos, it’s a special moment for me and for him, too," said the three-time Grand Slam champion, who is currently on a 20-match winning streak in majors. “He won here last year, so let’s see what’s coming. But for sure, the tension you feel before the match and during the match is a little bit different in a way, because we are both very young, we are both different, but talented."

Djokovic fought hard in a dramatic semifinal lasting three hours and 16 minutes, but three missed set points late in the third set dashed his hopes of a comeback.

Sinner, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament, aims to avenge his loss to Alcaraz from last year’s semifinals, where he fell in five sets. The Italian will be playing in his first Grand Slam final not on hard courts after edging 5-4 ahead in his head-to-head record with Djokovic, marking his fourth consecutive win over the 38-year-old.

Djokovic’s exit ensures that a sixth consecutive major title will be claimed by either Sinner or world number two Alcaraz, signaling a likely permanent changing of the guard. It will be the first Grand Slam final between two players born in the 2000s.

Alcaraz has won his last four matches against Sinner, including the Italian Open final in May, when Sinner returned from a three-month doping ban. Comparisons have already been made between their rivalry and those of the big three: Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.

“It takes time to compare us with the big three," said Sinner. “I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries, no? This could be potentially one of these, but there are amazing players coming up."

Djokovic was aiming to become the first man to win a Slam with victories over all of the world’s top three players, after defeating Alexander Zverev in the quarters. Instead, he will now focus on his seventh attempt to surpass Margaret Court’s 24 major titles at Wimbledon next month.

“This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don’t know," said the three-time Roland Garros champion. “Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I’m going to do everything possible to get myself ready."

Sinner secured a comfortable opening set with a break in the fifth game, finishing with a hold to love and a backhand winner. Djokovic started stronger in the second set but couldn’t break through Sinner, who hadn’t dropped serve since his first-round win over France’s Arthur Rinderknech. Sinner served out the second set on his second attempt, with a hold that included two aces, one from a second serve. Djokovic sought treatment for his left leg before the third set.

A lively crowd reacted to a brilliant rally that gave Djokovic two set points in the 10th game. Sinner fended them off, as well as a third, before Djokovic grew frustrated with a line call that didn’t go his way, leading to a tie-break. Sinner, like Alcaraz, has never lost a Grand Slam final and finished the match in the tie-break as Djokovic netted.

“Of course, it’s stressful," Sinner said about facing Djokovic. “Playing against Novak, playing against the best players in the world, you don’t get moments where you can relax. He makes you feel that."

(With AFP Inputs)

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