Carlos Alcaraz made more history with his 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Alexander Zverev in the French Open final on Sunday afternoon. At 21 years old, he is the youngest man ever to win a Grand Slam title on all three different surfaces. Alcaraz also improved to 10-1 lifetime in five-setters at slams, making him the first player since Pete Sampras in 1994 to win 10 of his first 11 five-setters at the biggest events in tennis.
Needless to say, the Spaniard has been incredibly clutch en route to his major triumphs. He saved a match point in an epic 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3 2022 U.S. Open quarterfinal victory over Jannik Sinner and beat Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in the 2023 Wimbledon final.
“I know that when I’m playing a fifth set you have to give everything and you have to give your heart,” Alcaraz explained following his title at Roland Garros. “I mean, in those moments it’s where the top players [show] their best tennis.
“As I said many times, I wanted to be one of the best tennis players in the world–so I have to give an extra in those moments in the fifth set. I have to show the opponent that I am fresh, like we are playing the first game of the match. So I think that works pretty well if the opponents see that I’m moving well, I’m hitting the good shots, I’m finding good solutions. And, of course, the mental strength plays a great part [in] that moment.
“So I think that’s why I have good success in the fifth sets, and…you have to [do that] if you want to win the slams.”
The slams are what have eluded Zverev, who is now 0-2 in such finals. He also lost the 2020 U.S. Open final in five sets, falling to Dominic Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(6). Following his latest loss, Zverev praised Alcaraz for his physicality and said that he would use it as inspiration to improve.
“We’re both physically strong, but he’s a beast,” the German said. “He’s an animal, for sure. The intensity he plays tennis at is different to other people…. He’s a fantastic player and physically he’s fantastic.
“So, you know, I have to look at myself and I have to look at the team that I have and see what I can do to become at the same level.”
