Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has given his verdict on the titanic 2025 Roland Garros final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, offering a champion's insight into the match's key turning point: Alcaraz's ability to bypass a fifth set and finish the job.
The 14-time Roland Garros winner acknowledged the immense pressure of a Paris final, suggesting that the occasion impacted both players initially. "For me, the first three sets weren't very high-quality tennis..." Nadal was quoted as saying, pointing to the nerves and tactical tension that often define the opening stages of a major championship.
Nadal, more than most, understands the grueling physical and mental war of attrition that a French Open final can become. He admitted that based on the flow of the match, he anticipated it going the full distance. "I expect a five-set game," Nadal stated, noting the relentless counter-punching from Sinner that has defined their rivalry.
However, it was Alcaraz's next-level champion's mentality that drew Nadal's highest praise. The young Spaniard, after splitting the first two sets and battling through a tense third, found another gear. Rather than allowing Sinner to drag him into a fifth-set decider—a scenario where momentum becomes unpredictable—Alcaraz clamped down, elevated his game, and closed the door with stunning authority in the fourth set.
"For a young player to have that mentality, to finish a tough match in four sets against a rival like Jannik, it is very impressive," Nadal commented. "It shows his mind is strong. He understood the moment and did not let go."
Nadal's analysis cuts to the heart of what separates great players from all-time greats. It wasn't just about the breathtaking winners or incredible speed; it was about the cognitive strength to recognize an opportunity to shut down a rallying opponent and the execution to do so. By avoiding a fifth set, Alcaraz didn't just win the match; he announced a maturity that mirrors that of the legends who came before him, including the man offering the commentary.