tennis, anyone?

Photo Credit: Christophe Petit Tesson / EPA

Picture this: the roar of the crowd echoing in your ears in a sun-drenched stadium as two young stars of tennis battle it out in a match that will be remembered for ages.

On one side of the net, Jannik Sinner—calm and confident—with victory practically in his hands.

On the other, Carlos Alcaraz—fighting against the odds and embodying resilience, hope, and raw determination.

In Paris, fans were on the edge of their seats, cheering wildly for the young Spaniard, hoping to keep the contest alive a little longer.

At home in Riverside, Connecticut, I was in the tennis trenches of our family room, my heart pounding—feeling every rally, every shot, every ounce of effort.

And I was awestruck as I watched these two astonishing athletes face off for the honor of lifting the trophy as the 2025 Roland-Garros Men’s Singles Champion.

But it felt like more than just a game. There was something noble and exemplary—not just in their style of play, but also in their respect for each other, for tennis, and for the power of the human spirit.

Maybe that’s what really makes this match unforgettable.

Immediately following the final point, comments flooded the media from sports pundits:

“The greatest match of the modern era.”

“Epic.”

“Insane.”

“5 ½ hours long—the longest in Roland-Garros history and the third-longest men’s final in the Open Era.”

“A nail-biter—Sinner and Alcaraz fought for every single point, with Sinner winning 193 to 192.”

And it was indeed a showcase of skill, resilience, and heart. It was great tennis.

But what touched me most wasn’t just the incredible tennis — and it was incredible — but the remarkable moments that showed us how to be a true competitor.

Early in the second set, Sinner hit a serve that was called out. Alcaraz, disagreeing, walked over to inspect the mark on the clay. He then told the umpire the ball was in - conceding the point - even though he didn’t have to.

It was honesty—a rare act of integrity in a world fixated on winning.

Then Sinner followed suit, deep in the fourth set, displaying the same kind of sportsmanship when he overruled the umpire.

Alcaraz had hit a powerful forehand that nicked the baseline. The umpire called the shot out, but Sinner gestured to her that it was in, and the point was replayed.

These moments made me reflect: how often do we have the chance to choose honesty over convenience? To concede a point in life, even when it’s hard? To do the right thing when no one’s watching, and in doing so, risk losing something?

It’s not easy. But that’s what defines us.

Then came some real magic—Alcaraz, down 40-love, with Sinner serving for the match and three championship points. Everyone expected Sinner to close it out. But Alcaraz fought back with everything he had, winning that game in a display of pure grit.

Later, when asked how he managed to stay so composed, Alcaraz said:

"I just believed all the time. I never doubted myself, even when I was three points down. I thought, just one point at a time. Just one point, and then after one point, try to save that game and keep believing."

That simple philosophy—breaking down the job at hand and focusing on one thing at a time—resonates deeply.

It reminds us that, in life, we don’t have to fix everything at once. We just need to take it one point at a time. One day at a time. One hour at a time. One minute.

Listening to Alcaraz’s comments, I was struck by his confidence and belief in himself, even when the odds were stacked against him.

It’s so difficult to keep the faith and believe in ourselves when the chips are down. Yet this young man showed us how to do it. Even if he had lost one of those three championship points, I don’t think his confidence would have faltered. He would have gotten up the next morning and started again.

In the third set, I turned to my husband and asked, “Who do you think will win?” He said Sinner. I nodded, agreeing.

And I’m sure we weren’t alone in our thinking. Sinner was clearly ahead - steady and confident. It felt like a sure thing. If I were a gambler, I would have bet all my money on Sinner.

And I would have lost.

Because Alcaraz kept showing up. He played with abandon, with freedom, and with tenacity—as if every point was the last. He didn’t play conservatively or defensively; he went for it. He held nothing back.

He showed us that victory isn’t just about the score—it’s about the heart and spirit we bring to every challenge. And he knew that it’s not over until the last point is played.

Don’t give up before the miracle.

At the close of the day, after five and a half hours, when the match was over and I finally peeled myself – exhausted - off our family room couch, only one player lifted the large, shiny trophy.

Yet there were no losers.

Both players—Alcaraz and Sinner—were exceptional. Both showed grace, character, class, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

Perhaps those of us lucky enough to witness this “epic” match were deeply impacted by the amazing exhibition, not so much for the incredible tennis - which it was - but because these are the qualities we yearn for today.

“Three winners in Paris today: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and the beautiful game of tennis. What a match!” — Roger Federer