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As Carlos Alcaraz celebrated a milestone victory at Roland Garros on Sunday, it’s likely that some well-deserved rest was on his mind after a grueling weekend on clay, capping off a dramatic two weeks in Paris.
The 21-year-old became the youngest man to win a major title on three different surfaces, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in a thrilling French Open final that lasted 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Adding the French Open title to his US Open triumph in 2022 and his Wimbledon victory last year, this win seems especially meaningful to Alcaraz, given his Spanish roots.
Just as Wimbledon holds special significance for Australians, the Musketeers Cup at Roland Garros is the ultimate prize for men raised on the red clay courts of Europe.
“Winning a Grand Slam is always special. Winning your first at each Grand Slam is incredibly special,” Alcaraz said. “But at Roland Garros, knowing all the Spanish players who have won this tournament, being able to add my name to that amazing list is something unbelievable. This has been a dream since I started playing tennis when I was five or six years old. So it’s a fantastic feeling.”
Alcaraz’s victory over Zverev followed a grueling five-set win against the new world No.1, Jannik Sinner, on Friday, showcasing not just his brilliance but also his remarkable stamina. He became the first player in the Open Era to win his final two matches en route to the Roland Garros title in five sets, a feat last achieved by Australian legend Rod Laver in 1962.
Arriving in Paris with concerns over an injured forearm, and finishing the tournament with his thigh heavily strapped, Alcaraz’s triumph is even more impressive. Despite these challenges, he managed to power through the tournament, though he seemed to hold back on his signature thunderous forehand, as suggested by the relatively subdued grunts during his matches.
“As I mentioned before the tournament, I see myself as a player who doesn’t need many matches to reach 100 percent,” he said. “I had a great week of practice here in Paris, working with good players. I felt better with each match, improving as the tournament progressed. All the work with my team has helped me reach my peak both physically and mentally.”
Despite his remarkable success, the nature of tennis leaves little time for rest. Alcaraz, who will rise to No. 2 in the rankings on Monday, is scheduled to defend his title at the Queen’s Club before turning his focus to Wimbledon, where he’ll aim to defend his crown.
