Top-five men's Slam finals ahead of another Sinner-Alcaraz special

Rafael Nadal won an epic Wimbledon final against Roger Federer in 2008. (Getty/Bob Martin)

Everyone has had a few weeks to digest THAT French Open Final, and what a match it was.

Carlos Alcaraz's five-set victory over Jannik Sinner, in the second-longest major final in history, is the defining match in their 12-match rivalry.

The Spaniard came back from the brink after recovering from a two-sets-to-love deficit, saving three match points in the five-hour and 29-minute epic.

Again, they will clash in a highly anticipated major final - this time, at Wimbledon.

Shop with a 15% storewide discount code: SERVE15 - excludes clearance items, machines, court equipment and gift cards at www.tennisdirect.com.au

But many are now asking, was that the greatest match of all time? Or does it fall short when considering the level of tennis members of the Big Three used to produce on court together?

Since the turn of the century, there have been many thrillers in terms of major finals, and the FIRST championship match contested between these two is right up there.

Here is a list of the top-five ranked, from fifth to first:

5. Wimbledon 2019 - Novak Djokovic def. Roger Federer

This match is used by coaches when teaching students all about mental strength.

The Serb came into the tournament having won three out of the last four majors, whilst Federer hadn't won a Slam title in 18 months.

Djokovic, after leading by a set multiple times and by a break in the fifth set, found himself staring down the barrel after some Federer magic. The 38-year-old found something extra throughout the whole tournament and was standing on the cusp of a 21st major title.

But Djokovic remarkably saved two championship points at 7-8 15-40 before taking the match after winning the first 12-12 tiebreaker at Wimbledon.

He handed Federer a fourth runner-up plate at SW19 and proved it's never over until it's over, in an unbelievable comeback.

4. Australian Open 2009—Roger Federer def. Andy Roddick

Roger Federer had a disastrous 2008 season, after losing his Wimbledon and world No.1 crowns.

But in 2009, after rebounding from another major final loss in Melbourne to Nadal by winning his only French Open title weeks before, Federer found himself level with Pete Sampras on a record 14 major titles.

The Swiss maestro was a win away from history.

Andy Roddick had lost in every major final he'd played against Federer before this match.

However, he was out to spoil the party.

The American claimed the first set and had three set points in the second before Federer completed his own escape act and levelled it at a set all.

After trading sets, the two played out the longest fifth set in Wimbledon final history.

Federer ended up the victor after over four hours and a 30-game fifth set.

This match featured an insane 197 winners, with just 105 unforced errors, and a record that Federer extended at the following year's Australian Open.

3. French Open 2025—Carlos Alcaraz def. Jannik Sinner

If these two legends keep up the level they exhibited in this final in future matches, a clash of theirs may find its way to the top.

Alcaraz pulled a Houdini and channelled his inner Djokovic, perhaps, by recovering from a two-set deficit and saving three consecutive championship points.

Sinner hadn't lost at a major since Wimbledon last year and also hadn't dropped a set throughout the entire tournament.

He started well and took the first two sets with an incredible all-court game showing.

But Alcaraz, after using the crowd support and all the experience he's racked up in his still very short career, managed to flip the script.

The Spaniard became the first player since Roger Federer to win his opening five major finals, and he did so against his biggest rival.

Both players gave it their all, with Sinner leaving it all out there and looking absolutely deflated after the pair shook hands.

It took these two players almost six hours to determine a winner, with their shotmaking and speed of ball being nothing short of absurd.

2. Australian Open 2012 - Novak Djokovic def. Rafael Nadal

This clash between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal epitomised their legendary rivalry.

Five sets, nearly six hours, and relentless intensity from first point to last.

Nadal came into this as the rank underdog, after losing six matches in a single year against the Serb in 2011.

But he started strong, taking the first set after dictating the terms from the back of the court.

Djokovic, the defending champ, responded with laser returns and baseline consistency that wore the Spaniard down over time. 

Both men had chances, with Nadal leading 4-2 in the fifth, but Djokovic's resilience came through when it mattered most.

It was physical, draining, and at times hard to watch purely because of what they were putting themselves through. 

The shot tolerance, recovery speed and willingness to suffer were just out of this world.

Djokovic eventually claimed it, but both players left absolutely everything out there to the point where they requested chairs to sit on during the trophy presentation. They left it all out on Rod Laver Arena.

Just a crazy level of tennis… What else would you expect?

1. Wimbledon 2008 - Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer

Here is the best match, not just of the 21st century, but of any period.

This final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was the moment their rivalry REALLY peaked.

Just weeks earlier, Nadal had destroyed Federer in the Roland-Garros final, in one of the most dominant performances ever seen.

But Wimbledon was Roger's turf, with the Swiss being the five-time defending champion.

Still, Nadal came out firing, taking the first two sets with fearless aggression and insane defence.

As the great champions do, Federer responded, though. His serve clicked, the forehand started to flow, and he somehow won two brutal tiebreaks, including that fourth-set masterclass, to level it.

The fifth set was then a battle of attrition.

After nearly five hours on court, in the darkening skies of London, Rafa broke through and won 9–7 before falling to the grass in disbelief.

It was third time lucky for Nadal, as he'd lost the previous two Wimbledon finals to Federer.

An unreal level from both guys in a match that still feels larger than life.

Your Ultimate Tennis Destination! 🎾

Tennis Direct Australia is more than just a store - Australia’s #1 online tennis retailer, bringing you world-class brands, unbeatable value, and exceptional customer service to support your love for the game.

​👉 Shop now at www.tennisdirect.com.au with a 15% storewide discount code: SERVE15, Valid until 31/12/2025 excludes clearance items, machines, court equipment and gift cards.