Jannik Sinner put on a brave face Sunday but could not hide his disappointment after losing the longest final ever played at Roland Garros.
The world No. 1 lost in five hours, 29 minutes – with three match points in the fourth set to Carlos Alcaraz, with the Spaniard taking a fifth straight win over his Italian rival as they played a Gran Slam final for the first time.
Alcaraz claimed his fifth trophy from five Grand Slam finals 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2).
Sinner came into the final without having lost a set during the tournament.
The longest ever final in Roland Garros history – by Roger Parker ISF
“I’m happy to deliver this kind of level. Happy about the tournament still. But obviously this one hurts.
“I’m happy how we are trying to improve every day and trying to put myself in these kind of positions.
“It was a very high-level match, that’s for sure..but yeah, the final result hurts,”
The world No. 1 said he will just put the disappointment behind and keep on working.
“You cannot compare this match with other matches, Physically I was quite fine.. of course, tired – he was tired too.
“It was a physical match, a mental match. Now knowing the result, it is what it is,you know? You can’t really change it
“I’m still happy to be part of this match. It was , very high-level match, it was long.
“We saw it (tough losses from a position of strength) in the past with other players, and today it happened to me.
“I try to delete it somehow and take the positive and keep going. There is no other way.”
Main photo:-Jannik Sinner with his runner up trophy after losing five set thriller to Carlos Alcaraz – by Roger Parker ISF
