Alcaraz-Sinner, a final that enters directly into the top 5 Grand Slams of the Open era

On Monday morning, if we had to determine the five greatest Grand Slam finals in the Open era, it might look like this. In chronological order.

Two icons diametrically opposed in their game and character, an interminable 22-minute tie-break during which John McEnroe saved five match points (and which almost single-handedly gave rise to a Hollywood film) before losing after 3 hours 53 minutes: the two greatest tennis stars delivered a masterpiece of immense dramatic scope.

Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.

The symbol of the passing of the reigns between two opponents who had already become great rivals in recent years, but this time, as night fell, Rafael Nadal changed status by winning on Roger Federer's territory after a sumptuous 4 hour 48 minute clash. A new era of tennis began at that moment, with the Spaniard becoming world number 1 a few weeks later.

Monumental rallies, crazy races, 5 hours and 53 minutes of effort that would make it the longest final in history, leaving its two protagonists drained, unable to stay standing during the trophy ceremony, as it approached 2 a.m. in Melbourne. Brutal and epic.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2012 in Melbourne. (P. Lahalle./ L'Équipe)

The longest final in Wimbledon history (4 hours 57 minutes) was also worth it because Federer, despite being in his last gasp, delivered a very high-flying match, more than expected, pushing the unsinkable Novak Djokovic aside. He missed two match points in a row, at 8-7 in the final set, which ended in the first ever tiebreak at 12-12.

While the two men, aged 23 and 22, have taken over the post-Big 3, having won the last five Majors between them, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are engaged in the longest battle in history in the final in Paris (5 hours 29 minutes). The Italian missed three match points in a row in the fourth set. A magnificent level and a player in fusion.