"Alcaraz was smart to get the crowd on his side" - Jannik Sinner's coach on the support received by the Spaniard during the French Open final

The 2025 French Open final between World No.1 Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is still fresh in the minds of many, with Sinner's coach Simone Vagnozzi shedding some light on his ward's mindset during the two week Grand Slam event.

Both Sinner and Alcaraz met for the second consecutive ATP final, with Alcaraz prevailing when they clashed in Rome a few weeks before Roland Garros. At the Parisian Grand Slam, the duo once again crossed paths in the final, with Alcaraz rallying from two sets to love down to overcome his Italian opponent, much to the delight of the French crowd.

Several in the Italian tennis community highlighted how the French fans were fully behind Alcaraz, with not many backing the top-ranked Sinner. In an interview on Radiodue, Vagnozzi revealed Sinner was not too bothered by the crowd's antics.

"There’s always this rivalry between France and Italy," said the Italian coach. "Alcaraz was also a bit ‘smart’ to get the crowd on his side, he was down two sets to zero and needed energy. He was good at managing it this way, but let’s not forget that two weeks earlier (in Rome, ed.) he had all the fans against him.
"We can’t just rely on the fans. Then there are times when it’s also nice to play with fans against you, it gives you that extra motivation. I think the fans were more decisive for Alcaraz than penalizing for Sinner."

Furthermore, Vagnozzi pointed out how Sinner's second loss in a final to his Spanish rival carried more weight, as losing in a Grand Slam final involved more emotions than losing at any other ATP tournament.

"I don't deny that it wasn't easy, especially after Paris, because in Rome it was, after all, the first tournament in three months and we arrived with many doubts," said Vagnozzi. "It was a slightly 'softer' defeat. The one in Paris weighed a little more, but after that final I can say that all of us today have even more respect than before for Jannik, for what he gave and for how he fought.
"On the day itself it's certainly hard to accept, but the next day you understand that even if it's a very important match, in the end it's just a tennis match. In a moment like the current one, with everything that's happening in the world, we mustn't forget that we are privileged to be there: we must enjoy it."

Both athletes are prepared to kick off their Wimbledon campaign next week, with Alcaraz hoping to once again defend his title at the Grand Slam event.