Everyone who had the pleasure of watching yesterday’s French Open final will have felt blessed to have done so, but apparently none more so than Mats Wilander.
The Swede, who has a rich history at this tournament, was a keen onlooker throughout what many have since argued was the greatest final in Grand Slam history.
After all, it pitted world number one, Jannik Sinner against Carlos Alcaraz, the world number two and defending champion.
We expected a great match, but the manner in which it unfolded, boasting drama, controversy and quality beyond belief, was breathtaking.
It even prompted Wilander to make a bold claim about the future of tennis.
Mats Wilander left stunned after watching French Open final
Speaking about what he had just witnessed, live on TNT Sports, the three-time French Open champion could not have been more impressed with what he saw from these two.
After all, there was so much on the line for both of them, and it really showed in the desperation exhibited alongside improbable talent and physicality.
Speaking about their rivalry, Wilander actually admitted that he never thought such an arresting duo could emerge so soon after such a dominant period in men’s tennis.
He noted: ‘It’s incredible because expectations are really high when these guys face off. They’ve played some incredible matches starting with the 2022 US Open.
‘And every match they play is so it’s brutally physical, it’s emotional, the tennis they’re playing is unbelievable, and the fact that they can keep going for five and a half hours on a clay court at this level, because the level at the end was absolutely ridiculous.
‘So I cannot believe how lucky we are that we’re going to have this rivalry, because these guys are, they have taken our sport to another level.
‘I never thought I would say that after the Big Three with Rafa, Roger and Novak, but it’s actually faster than ever, and it’s at a level that’s it’s hard to believe that they can do this.’
Sinner has broken his silence after the French Open final on social media, congratulating Alcaraz again on a phenomenal final.
Carlos Alcaraz’s updated head-to-head record vs Jannik Sinner
Having beaten his generational rival once again, Alcaraz has extended his fine winning streak over Sinner whilst also boosting their overall head-to-head record further in his favour too.
Heading into the final, the Spaniard had enjoyed four straight victories against the 23-year-old, including in two finals and the semi-finals of this event the year prior.
Twice he has thwarted him in the French capital now, extending that winning run to five on the bounce.
Carlos Alcaraz’s last five results vs Jannik Sinner
| Tournament | Level | Year | Winner | Score |
| French Open | Grand Slam | 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) |
| Italian Open | Masters 1000 | 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6(5), 6-1 |
| China Open | ATP 500 | 2024 | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) |
| French Open | Grand Slam | 2024 | Carlos Alcaraz | 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 |
| Indian Wells | Masters 1000 | 2024 | Carlos Alcaraz | 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
And, as this was their 12th meeting, Alcaraz has now won eight of those matches.
He is slowly becoming the dominant force when these two play, and yet they seem poised to continue sharing the Grand Slam titles as the years go by.
It will be interesting to see what tweaks Sinner makes in the future to try and upset this torrid run, and how Alcaraz adapts to maintain his fine form against the world number one.
