"Truly sad for Jannik Sinner" - Martina Navratilova sends touching message to Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz after French Open epic
Martina Navratilova lauded both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the pair's exemplary display in the men's singles final of the 2025 French Open. On one hand, Navratilova felt sad for reigning No. 1 Sinner, but on the other, the Czech-American legend was full of admiration for the way Alcaraz turned the tables on the Italian.
On Sunday, June 8, Alcaraz and Sinner faced each other for the first time in a Grand Slam final. What played out on Court Philippe-Chatrier was a titanic contest showcasing the very best of both players. The Italian won the first two sets, putting himself in pole position for the win. Alcaraz, though, staged a memorable comeback, even saving three match points at one stage.
Ultimately, it was Carlos Alcaraz who raised his level when it mattered most. The Spaniard dominated the fifth-set super tiebreak to clinch his fifth Major title with a 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) scoreline.
In the aftermath of the result, former WTA No. 1 and 18-time singles Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
"One of the greatest matches ever in a major final- truly sad for @janniksin and a phenomenal effort that didn’t go his way and what an astonishing comeback from @carlosalcaraz. Chapeau to both warriors and champions :)"
Last year, Navratilova, a former two-time singles champion in Paris herself, had labeled Alcaraz a player who "takes tennis to a different level".
Martina Navratilova called Carlos Alcaraz a "complete" player last year, said she looked forward to his rivalry with Jannik Sinner
In 2024, Martina Navratilova attended a press conference at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, where she was asked to assess the mercurial rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Comparing Alcaraz to the legendary Novak Djokovic, the Czech-American laid bare her great regard for the Spaniard's all-round game and penchant for improvisation.
"I have to say that Carlos is so complete. Djokovic is incredible but Alcaraz takes tennis to a different level because he improvises better than anyone else," Navratilova said.
She spoke about Sinner later, praising the Italian's work ethic that has seen him improve in almost all aspects of his game. Navratilova went on to express her excitement over the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry potentially lighting up men's tennis in the years to come.
"Jannik is unbelievable. He is the proof of how work allows you to improve and play at the highest level. I'm looking forward to the next ten years and the duels between Alcaraz, Sinner and some other player who can join," she added.
With the French Open final win over Sinner, Alcaraz now holds a 8-4 lead in the pair's head-to-head.