“I learned from last year match against Novak Djokovic” - Carlos Alcaraz on how he overcame Jannik Sinner challenge in French Open SF

Carlos Alcaraz discussed how his experience from last year's French Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic helped him beat Jannik Sinner in this year's Roland Garros semifinal. The Spaniard met the Italian in the Final 4 of this year's claycourt Major on Friday, June 7.

The highly awaited clash saw the two young men deliver a thrilling five-setter that lasted four hours and nine minutes. The Spaniard prevailed 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach his third Grand Slam final and first in Paris.

During his on-court interview, the 21-year-old said both he and Sinner were cramping in the third set. He revealed using his last year's semifinal experience against Novak Djokovic (where Alcaraz lost in four sets) to realize that he needed to stay calm as the cramp would eventually go away. The two-time Major winner added that he needed to stay in the game by trying to shorten the points.

"Yeah, I saw him struggling a little bit but yeah, I was cramping, Jannik as well in the third set, so we had to fight. I learned from last year match against Djokovic, that I was in the same position like today," Alcaraz said.

"But I know that in this moment, you have to be calm, you have to keep going because the cramp is going to go away, and you have to stay there fighting, trying to make shorter, the points," he added.

"It was really good match, great points, great tennis" - Carlos Alcaraz after beating Jannik Sinner in French Open 2024 SF

Carlos Alcaraz

After defeating second-seed Jannik Sinner in the 2024 French Open semifinal, Carlos Alcaraz said the third set was "a little weird" as both men struggled physically. The Spaniard added that he was happy with the level of tennis displayed by both players. The third seed expressed his satisfaction with his performance, especially his patience which helped him pick his moments.

"But it was a little weird, let’s say, the third set. But I think the fourth set and the five set, it was really good match, great points, great tennis, and I'm really happy about everything that I've done today, waiting for my moments until the last moment that I took it."

Carlos Alcaraz will play fourth-seed Alexander Zverev in the summit clash for La Coupe de Mousquetaires. The German has been in sublime form and ousted the likes of Rafael Nadal, Holger Rune, and Casper Ruud en route to the final.

This will be the 10th meeting between the duo, with Zverev currently edging the Spaniard 5-4. However, it was Alcaraz who won their most recent meeting in straight sets at the Indian Wells this year.