Emotional Jannik Sinner Says He Won't Sleep Well After French Open Loss
Jannik Sinner said he won't sleep well tonight when he accepted the second-place trophy at the 2025 French Open.
And no wonder. The French Open results amounted to a classic match between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz that spanned three tie-breakers and five sets before Alcaraz took home the victory.
Sinner won the first two sets 6-4 and 7-6 as Alcaraz seemed thrown off by an eye issue. Then, Alcaraz battled back, winning the next two sets 6-4, 7-6. They then battled it out in a fifth-set tie-breaker that Alcaraz ultimately won 7-6 (10-2). The match was instantly declared a "classic" by the announcer.
Tennis great John McEnroe even compared it to his legendary battle with Bjorn Borg at Wimbledon in 1980, saying the loss elevated tennis and himself and predicting the same for Sinner.
Sinner handled the loss with grace.
He said there are "many, many great things I have achieved, even though I am still happy with this one. I won’t sleep tonight very well, but it’s okay. Thank you. See you guys again next year."
Related: Emotional John McEnroe Compares Carlos Alcaraz Win to Epic Match With Bjorn Borg
Both men gushed praise for each other.
Alcaraz also praised Sinner, saying, "I want to start with Jannik; it is amazing the level you have. Congratulations for an amazing two weeks, amazing tournament. I know the hard work you're putting in every day. Honestly I know how hard you're taking this tournament."
"First of all, Carlos, congrats again on an amazing performance, amazing battle, amazing everything to you and your team, amazing job," Sinner said from the podium, according to the live broadcast. "I'm very happy for you and you deserve it, so congrats."
Sinner, of Italy, added: "It's easier to play than talking now, but my team obviously thank you so much to put myself in this position. We tried our best today; we gave everything we had. Amazing tournament, even though it's very, very difficult right now, but it's okay. Thank you so much for all of the ball kids. You make life easier for us on court."
According to Sinner, "It’s a big privilege for us players to be here, to play here; Paris for me is a very special place."
He added: "You're going to be champion, not once but many, many times. It's a privilege to share the court with you at every tournament, making history with you. I'm really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament and in other tournaments. You are a huge inspiration for the young kids...Good luck for everything and what’s coming."
He thanked his team and his family and the people who "came from home to support me....This tournament for me is really special."