Carlos Alcaraz has long been cast as the leader of his generation. With this French Open win, he's proving it.
Carlos Alcaraz is the seventh man to win a major singles title on all three surfaces, and is the youngest one to complete the feat. PARIS -- There was never any danger of"Marcha Real" going back into hibernation here at the French Open. Spain's national anthem played after each of. It was Alcaraz's third Grand Slam title, after claiming the crowns of the US Open in 2022 and then Wimbledon last year.
When Alcaraz was young, he used to run home after school and ask his parents to put on the TV so he could watch Nadal at Roland Garros. His parents were there to witness Alcaraz lift the trophy, a journey coming full circle, standing in the same spot where his hero had on 14 previous occasions. Nadal was watching on from afar, and offered his compliments."Congratulations Carlos for this immense victory!!!! Big!!!! Very happy for your successes!!! Vamos!" Nadal posted in Spanish on X.
In 2022, he was toppled by Zverev at the quarterfinal stage. But three months later, Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam in New York. At the 2023 French Open, Djokovic dispatched him in four sets, with Alcaraz suffering from debilitating cramping. But then he won Wimbledon one month after that, in just his fourth tournament on grass.
By that point in the press conference, Alcaraz had already checked his phone. He'd seen that he'd become the youngest men's player to reach the Grand Slam final on all three surfaces. He smiled recalling it, saying,"breaking new records is great."Alcaraz's goal to be dominant across all three surfaces, but still he needed that elusive trophy to secure his spot among the pantheon of greats. To do that, he needed to overcome Zverev.
Sunday's match lasted 4 hours, 19 minutes, making it the second-longest men's French Open final since the Open Era began in 1968. It was Alcaraz who started the better of the two, taking the first set 6-1. He was then a break up in the second, but his game fell apart, Zverev pouncing on mistakes to win five games in a row to take the second set 6-2. Alcaraz said afterwards he was trying to hide how nervous he was from Zverev.
"I know that when I'm playing a fifth set, you have to give everything, you have to give your heart. In those moments, it's where the top players give their best tennis. I want to be one of the best tennis players in the world, so have to give my extra in those moments and show the opponent I'm fresh, like I'm playing in the first game of a match," Alcaraz said after the match.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Carlos Alcaraz rallies to win French Open final, his 3rd Grand Slam titleCarlos Alcaraz is a 21-year-old from Spain who grew up running home from school to watch on TV as countryman Rafael Nadal was accumulating trophy after trophy at Roland Garros.
Read more »
Carlos Alcaraz Claims His First French Open TitleOn Sunday in Paris, a four-hour-and-19-minute men’s final yielded a first-time French Open champion: world number three Carlos Alcaraz bested Alexander Zverev of Germany 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
Read more »
Carlos Alcaraz Is the New King of Clay With French Open WinThe 21-year-old won the third major of his career at Roland Garros, establishing himself atop the men’s game as a new generation takes over tennis.
Read more »
Carlos Alcaraz comes back to stun Alexander Zverev in five sets to win French OpenSpanish tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz came back to defeat Alexander Zverev in five sets to win the first French Open championship of his career.
Read more »
Carlos Alcaraz outlasts Alexander Zverev to win French OpenCarlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to capture a major title on all three surfaces, beating Alexander Zverev in five sets to win the French Open.
Read more »
Rafael Nadal Congratulates Carlos Alcaraz on His First French Open TitleThe 14-time French Open champion didn't waste any time in lauding the 21-year-old Spaniard's latest achievement.
Read more »