The Spaniard wins a third major title and consolidates his place among tennis’ elite
Paris, June 9, 2024 — Carlos Alcaraz, the prodigious Spanish talent, won his first title at Roland Garros on Sunday, beating German Alexander Zverev in an epic five-set battle. With this victory, Alcaraz added the coveted Parisian Trophy to his growing collection, which already includes titles from the US Open and Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, after four hours and 19 minutes of grueling play. His triumph marks a significant moment for Spanish tennis, coming just two years after the legendary Rafael Nadal won his 14th French Open title.
Reflecting on his journey, a visibly emotional Alcaraz said: “Ever since I was a little kid, I would finish school and run just to turn on the TV and watch this tournament, now I’m lifting the trophy in front of all of you. It’s amazing the support I get. I feel like home.
Inwards
Unlike Nadal, whose first three Grand Slam victories all came on the clay of Roland Garros, Alcaraz’s third major triumph came on a different surface, highlighting his versatility and potential. At 21 years and one month, Alcaraz became the youngest man to win a major tournament on three different surfaces, surpassing Nadal’s record set at the 2009 Australian Open by 18 months.
Zverev, gracious in defeat, congratulated his opponent: “Third Grand Slam, 21 years old, it’s incredible. You won three different ones. It’s already an incredible career. You’re already a Hall of Famer and you’ve already accomplished a lot.
The final shock
Their last major meeting, in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open earlier this year, saw Zverev triumph. However, the scenario was different in Paris. Alcaraz broke Zverev’s serve several times in the first set, setting the tone for the match.
Zverev, on a 12-match winning streak since his Rome Masters title, staged a strong comeback in the second set, tying the match after 96 minutes. But as the match progressed into the third set, Alcaraz began to feel physical discomfort.
Despite receiving treatment for left groin pain, Alcaraz showed remarkable resilience. He rose to the challenge, coming back from a two-sets-to-one deficit for the second straight match, reminiscent of his comeback against Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.
A historic achievement
In the deciding set, Alcaraz’s energy exploded. He consolidated a break at 3-1 with a deft drop shot, igniting the crowd and heading for a double break. The match concluded with Alcaraz victorious, engraving his name alongside his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, as the French Open champion.
Acknowledging the hard work and teamwork that propelled him to this triumph, Alcaraz said: “The last month has been an incredible amount of work. We suffered a lot from this injury. I’m really grateful to have the team that I have. Everyone on my team gives their heart to helping me progress as a player and as a person. I call you a team but it’s a family.
A new era in men’s tennis
This final was the first in Paris in 20 years without any of the “Big Three”: NadalNovak Djokovic, or Roger Federer. Alcaraz’s victory is a strong signal that he is ready to lead the next generation of tennis stars. As the seventh man in the Open Era and the first since Stan Wawrinka in 2016 to win Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces, Alcaraz’s future looks extraordinarily bright.
With his latest victory, Carlos Alcaraz not only fulfilled his childhood dream, but also cemented his place as a formidable force in tennis, embodying the spirit and determination of his idol, Rafael Nadal.
Originally published in The European Times.
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