With just under a week to go before the start of this year’s French Open, I thought it would be a good time to rejig the memory bank and identify some of the standout finals in the recent history of the event.
With just under a week to go before the start of this year’s French Open, I thought it would be a good time to rejig the memory bank and identify some of the standout finals in the recent history of the event. Let’s be honest, any reference to the men’s French Open may as well comes with an abbreviation B.N or A.N (before Nadal after Nadal). The Spainard had a complete stranglehold of this event, making it almost impossible for sportswriters like me to inject any suspense into the occasion. It probably made it easier to compile this list, as I have looked for the best, most competitive finals. I have decided to avoid clickbait finals like Federer completing the career Grand Slam against Soderling in 2009. Still, I think I have managed to assemble a decent list of Roland Garros showdowns.
5. 2006- Rafa Nadal (SPA) def Roger Federer (SUI), (1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6)
It was hard to find a way to edge clay-court demigod Rafa Nadal into this list. The Spaniard dominated the vast majority of his 14 finals, never needing to take a match to five sets (incredible). You could make the argument that no single sportsman has ever dominated an event in the same fashion. Federer entered this final as the dominant figure in the sport, looking to own all four slams simultaneously. Rafa entered having won 60 successive matches on clay, including winning his first Roland Garros crown with victory over Mariano Puerta in 2005 (that was a golden period for Argentinean clay-court tennis). But could Nadal replicate that form- on that stage- against the preeminent figure in the sport? Despite losing the first set, Nadal quickly asserted his clay-court authority, using his bodacious topspin to placate the elegant Swiss star. This was a watershed early moment for Nadal, laying the foundation for his later dominance of the fabled rivalry.
4. 2015- Stan Wawrinka (SUI) def Novak Djokovic (SRB), (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4)
This was the match that solidified Stan Wawrinka’s giant-killing mystique. Yes, he did win that 2014 Aussie Open title playing some of the most extraordinary tennis you will ever see. But it was upsetting Djokovic in this final that really secured his legacy. Anyone can do it once (look at del Potro and Cilic). Wawrinka was able to do it three times during the most ruthlessly competitive era of men’s tennis. Wawrinka completely upset Djokovic’s methodical rhythm that day, upping the tempo with some of the most entertaining, hell-for-leather hitting you can imagine. Blessed with that Mjolnir of a single-handed backhand, Wawrinka recorded 60 winners to Djokovic’s 30 to end the Serb’s bid for a Career Grand Slam.
3. 2021- Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE), (3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4)
These days, it seems that everyone loves to make a bit of a mockery out of Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek is a certified member of the so-called ‘Lost Generation’, guys who couldn’t break through during the ‘Big Three’ era and are now lost in the age of ‘Sinneraz’. But Tsitsipas was once a formidable foe, pushing Djokovic to the limit in this epic five-set final. Tsitsipas controlled the rallies in the early stages, mixing aggression with precision to take a two-set lead. But the iron-man of men’s tennis would not be denied, using his superior mental strength and fitness to dominate the final three sets. Djokovic’s victory would make him the first man in history to complete the Career Double Grand Slam.
2. 2004- Gaston Gaudio (ARG) bt Guillermo Coria (ARG), (0-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 8-6)
This selection harkens back to a simpler pre-Nadal era, where clay-court tennis was ruled by more defensively minded tacticians. Still the only all-South American Grand Slam final- men or women- in history, this celebration of Argentinian clay-court excess was a joy to behold. Affectionately known as El Mago (the Magician), Guillermo Coria was the de facto King of Clay between 2003 and 2005, reaching six of eight clay Masters finals during that period. This final was expected to be his coronation. And he dominated the early exchanges against dogged compatriot Gaston Gaudio, winning the first two sets. But Gaudio somehow managed to wrestle back control of the match in the 3rd, breaking down a physically deteriorating Coria. Coria reestablished some control in the decider, twice serving for the set. But Gaudio showed the grit of a true champion, saving two championship points before completing one of the greatest comebacks in Grand Slam history (he was bageled in that opener). This was the official end of the pre-Nadal era, with El Nino capturing the first of his 14 titles just one year later.
1. 2025- Carlos Alcaraz (SPA) bt Jannik Sinner (ITA), (4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6)
This selection has nothing to do with recency bias. Last year’s French Open final was one for the ages and arguably the high-point of this era-defining rivalry. And at 5 hours and 29 minutes, it set a new benchmark as the longest French Open final in history. Crowd favourite Carlos Alcaraz trailed by two sets to love against Italian automaton Jannik Sinner. He got back into the match but looked resigned to defeat in that 4th set, facing three championship points down 3-5 on his own serve. Alcaraz summoned the ghosts of clay-court greats past, winning 13 of the next 14 points to swing the momentum back in his favour. His storied variety was giving him an edge over Sinner’s more robotic, meat-and-potatoes brilliance. Alcaraz went on to dominate the 10-point super tiebreaker 10-2, securing a 2nd successive Roland Garros crown.
