Redefining Clutch

Roland Garros

Redefining Clutch

Pardon my french, but holy fucking shit.

Both Roland Garros finals were absolute dramas.

Most of the time, I break down match strategy and tactics. But I couldn’t bring myself to write silly little things like, “he attacked Sinner’s second serve” this week. It wouldn’t do justice to what Jannik and Carlos did on Sunday.

For me, Alcaraz re-wrote the definition of clutch.

People throw that word around too easily. Clutch has become a catch-all for any late-game highlight or nervy winner. But this—this was different. This was generational. This was Tiger’s chip on 16. MJ’s The Shot. But I didn’t watch those live. I didn’t experience those with the entire world. They aren’t etched into my bones.

But now, I have something that I’ll likely recall dozens of times in the coming decades as the example of clutch in my smooth little brain. It’s one of those, “I remember exactly where I was, what the weather was, etc.” moments in life.

In line at Chipotle asking for “just a little sour cream please” with zero eye contact because I was rudely glued to the TNT live stream on my phone.

Here’s what made his come back so insane:

For starters, the Spaniard was down two sets to love against the Italian killer robot, who hadn’t lost a single set all tournament.

Then he [Alcaraz] was staring down the barrel of defeat, down 5-3 40-0 in the fourth.

40-fucking-love! Are you kidding me?

And even after saving triple championship point, he went totally unconscious in the fifth and played the best 10 point tie-break in history.

But the most impressive part is that it wasn’t one amazing shot. It was sustained transcendence.

4 winners and 4 forced errors, and just 1 unforced error in the breaker. The cleanest, lights-out tennis after more than five grueling hours on court.

After Carlos smoked a backhand down-the-line winner up 6-0 in the breaker, Sinner, who rarely shows emotion on the court, just looked up at his camp in utter disbelief. Helpless because his opponent was touched by god in that moment.

Clutch isn’t just saving one match point. It’s rewriting reality. And on Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz played tennis that didn’t seem possible, capped off (of course) with a screamer of a forehand pass on the run.

Trivia

This player holds the record for the most career wins over top ten opponents for someone who never reached the top ten himself. Who is this player?

A. Fernando Verdasco

B. Adrian Mannarino

C. Fabrice Santoro

D. Jurgen Melzer

Find out at the bottom!

Meet the Player

Jordan Thompson

From: Australia 🇦🇺 

Career High Ranking: 26

Fun Fact: Thompson has a tattoo on his right bicep of the Australian coat of arms

Game Analysis: Ever had a serve hit a crack on the court and jump over your head? That’s Thompson’s second serve, every time. The Aussie pairs his unreachable kick with solid groundstrokes, incredible speed, and one of the best net games on the tour.

Career Prediction: Thompson has had a respectable career, getting to Top 30 in the world in singles, No. 3 in doubles, and winning the 2024 US Open doubles title with fellow Aussie Max Purcell. Now 31 year old, I wouldn’t be surprised if JT drops the singles and turns into a dubs-specialist in the next couple of years. Not a bad way to earn a living mate.

Photo

Around the Net

Some of my favorite tennis content I found on the internet this week…

👕 Guess how many shirts Frances Tiafoe brings for one match. Now take that guess and double it.

🏆️ Coco compares the size of the trophy she gets to take home vs. the one she gets handed during the award ceremony

😮 The craziest serve you’ll see all day

📖 If you want a real break down of the men’s final, check out this excellent piece by writer and coach Hugh Clarke

Answer

C. Fabrice Santoro

Bonus

McConaughey gets it.