Yannick Noah had plenty to smile about during his first experience as Team Europe captain at the Laver Cup in San Francisco. The Frenchman and his squad did not celebrate the title defense.
However, the 1983 Roland Garros winner enjoyed every moment of the event, praising the team spirit and high-quality matches that defined the competition, as always in Laver Cup's eight editions.
Reflecting on the current leaders of men's tennis, Yannick singled out Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the players shaping the sport's new golden era. He also mentioned their incredible Roland Garros final.
He described their epic battle as the greatest tennis match ever played, dropping the ultimate praise while admiring the quality and intensity that captivated fans worldwide on historic day in June.
Noah emphasized how Carlos' creativity and Jannik's precision forged a duel filled with drama and brilliance over five and a half hours of atomic tennis that represents the future of the sport.
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The Court Philippe-Chatrier encounter symbolized everything tennis should be - artistry, athleticism and emotion. It left him proud to witness such excellence from the new generation.
Carlos delivered one of the most thrilling comebacks in tennis history in a 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 triumph! He defended three match points on serve in the ninth game of the fourth set and emerged at the top to defend the crown.
Despite the highest stake on the table, the two rivals did not reach for tactical breaks or complained about anything, givingtheir best and leaving everything on the court in the act of mutual admiration.
Sinner took 15 of 16 points in the closing stages of the fourth set, overcoming a deficit and generating those three match points at 5-3. However, Alcaraz kept his composure and defended them.
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The Spaniard pulled the break back in the tenth game and grabbed the tie break to impose a decider after four hours and ten minutes. Carlos grabbed an early break and served well to remain in front.
He served for the win at 5-4 and experienced a break that kept Jannik alive. They reached a deciding match tie break, and the Spaniard made a fresh start. He secured it 10-2 with a cracking forehand down the line winner, celebrating in one of the most thrilling tennis matches ever.
"I assure you, the Roland Garros final between Carlos and Jannik is the most excellent match in tennis history. There have been some good matches, even when you were not born, but this one stands right there at the top.
You played in Paris and produced an incredible level of tennis alongside drama caused by twists and turns," Yannick Noah said.
