India, June 9 -- Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the flagbearers of modern-day epic tennis rivalry, wrote a glittering, record-breaking and pulsating first chapter of what could turn out to be a regular sight for global tennis fans. The first-ever men's singles major final between players born after 2000 also turned out to be the longest French Open final, lasting five hours and 29 minutes. It was only fitting that after the match, which the Spaniard won in a comeback for the ages to defend his French Open title, both Sinner and Alcaraz started their speeches mentioning each other.

Alcaraz, who saved three match points in the fourth set to beat Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2), spent the entire first half (1 minute 15 seconds...