Tracy Austin has outlined exactly what Carlos Alcaraz changed in the fifth-set tiebreak of the French Open final to snatch the title from Jannik Sinner.
However, at one point, such a conclusion to the match seemed impossible.
Especially given the Italian brought about three Championship points, failing to convert on all three.
It was a match that epitomised unpredictability, with a fresh twist around every corner to keep everyone glued to the action.
It therefore only felt right that the most extraordinary of matches was given the most dramatic conclusion, as Carlos Alcaraz completed his comeback from two sets to love down.
Austin could not have been more impressed.
How Carlos Alcaraz won the fifth-set tiebreaker
Speaking on Tennis Channel Live, there was so much for their panel of analysts to comb through after a hectic, all-action affair between two titans of the sport.
However, Austin eventually settled on the crucial fifth-set tiebreak whilst looking at the statistics of the match, coming to an important conclusion.
She suggested: ‘And look at the drop shots that Alcaraz was able to use. I think he was trying to take the legs out of Sinner because there was that stat floating around that Sinner hadn’t won these long matches, and he kind of did that in the fourth set.
‘But look at the winners and unforced errors, both more for Alcaraz. He was the more aggressive of the two in that match tiebreak, it really made the difference.
‘He stepped up. That’s how he likes to play. It was an all-timer.’
Paul Annacone outlined the turning point for Sinner which he felt lost him the game in the same show, as they sought to analyse the joy of Alcaraz as well as the agony of his opponent.
Jannik Sinner will win the French Open title one day
Although yesterday will sting Jannik Sinner for some time, few would argue against his imminent return to the French Open final.
After all, he has proven over two years now that he, alongside Alcaraz, is the dominant force in men’s tennis, destined to sweep up countless Grand Slam titles.
When fit and in form, nobody else on the tour can really compete with them, making their eventual showdowns all the more enthralling.
Sinner will be back in the Roland Garros final, not based purely on his run this year, but based on just how versatile his skillset is.
Arguably, clay should mark the toughest surface for this big-striking 23-year-old to perform on.
Last six men’s Grand Slam champions
| Year | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner |
| 2025 | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | TBC | TBC |
And yet, coming back from a three-month absence from tennis, he has reached back-to-back finals in Rome and Paris, dropping just a sole set to players not named Carlos Alcaraz.
When he does make his way back to this stage, and eventually wins the entire thing, days like yesterday will make it that much sweeter. So gracious in defeat, he will have earned the right to revel in his glory.
He just needs to find a way to overcome this Spanish hoodoo, with his rival now winning their last five meetings.
