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Carlos Alcaraz secured his first French Open title in a thrilling five-set battle against Alexander Zverev, cementing his position as one of tennis’s rising stars.
At 21, Alcaraz followed in Rafael Nadal’s footsteps, expressing pride in winning his inaugural French Open at Roland Garros. This victory made him the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces. He overcame Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, showcasing his grit and adaptability on clay.
Though he started shakily, Alcaraz’s confidence and consistency, which earned him previous majors at the 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon, helped him prevail. He became the youngest player to capture Grand Slam titles on clay, grass, and hard courts.
Having turned pro in 2018 at 15, Alcaraz visited Roland Garros as a 12-year-old, dreaming of lifting the French Open and Wimbledon trophies. His love for clay, honed in his hometown of Murcia, culminated in this historic win. He celebrated by falling onto his back, mimicking the victory gestures of his idol, Rafael Nadal.
“I used to watch this tournament on TV, and now I’m lifting the trophy,” said Alcaraz, who received the award from six-time champion Bjorn Borg.
Fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev posed a stiff challenge, riding a 12-match winning streak on clay, but Alcaraz’s resilience denied Zverev his first Grand Slam title despite a strong showing.
Alcaraz, entering the match as a two-time Grand Slam champion, felt the weight of his childhood dreams. After the match, he expressed deep gratitude to his team and family for their support, especially through recent injury struggles. “I call this a team, but it’s a family,” he said, underscoring the personal significance of this victory.
In an epic final, Alcaraz fought back from being two sets to one down, defeating Zverev in four hours and 19 minutes. Zverev’s powerful serve and newfound confidence weren’t enough to match Alcaraz’s determination.
Alcaraz improved his exceptional five-set record to 12-1, exploiting a narrow opportunity in the final with a stunning forehand winner that shifted the match in his favor.
For Alcaraz, winning the French Open fulfilled a lifelong dream. “It’s a dream come true,” he shared after the trophy ceremony, reminiscing about watching Nadal and other Spanish players as a child.
As the youngest French Open champion since Nadal, Alcaraz’s ascent in tennis began when he beat both Nadal and Djokovic in Madrid at just 18. Despite a tough lead-up to the tournament, with a right forearm injury and only one title since Wimbledon, his determination carried him through.
After his victory, Alcaraz emotionally thanked his parents in his speech. “I’m so happy to have my family here with me,” he said, paying tribute to their constant support.
Rafael Nadal, known as the ‘King of Clay,’ praised Alcaraz as the ‘Prince of Clay,’ acknowledging his fellow Spaniard’s immense potential and congratulating him for his victory.
