By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, June 6, 2025
Photo credit: Adam Pretty/Getty
King of Clay Rafa Nadal famously said suffering is a prerequisite to Grand Slam success.
Reigning Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz says facing world No. 1 Jannik Sinner brings beautiful brutality.
World No. 2 Alcaraz defeated Lorenzo Musetti in four sets to power into his second straight Roland Garros final with his 13th consecutive win in Paris.
Alcaraz rides a 4-0 record in Grand Slam finals into Sunday’s French Open final against either Sinner in a rematch of the 2024 Roland Garros semifinals.
A red-hot Sinner scorched 44 winners and saved three set points in the third set fending off Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) in three hours, 16 minutes to advance to his maiden Roland Garros final.
It’s the first time since the 1984 French Open that both men’s and women’s singles finals feature No. 1 vs. No. 2 with Aryna Sabalenka meeting Coco Gauff in the women’s title match tomorrow.
Asked afterward what he loves about facing those two champions, Alcaraz said both bring out his best—and reinforce his belief pain is progress because both rivals “push you to the limit.”
“I mean, I enjoy every time that I’m playing against them, because I love that battle,” Alcaraz told the media in Paris. “But, you know, most of the time is just about suffering, because they push you to the limit.”
Alcaraz said those brutal showdowns are beautiful experiences that make him a better player.
“But my favorite thing is, as I said, it gives you the feedback of how can I be better, a better player,” Alcaraz said. “I think that’s important, and that’s beautiful, even though if I win or not, gives you a lot of stats and gives you the feedback.”
