(June 9, 2024) Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, the third seed, rallied to beat Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 to win the French Open on Sunday in Paris in a 4-hour and 19-minute battle. At 21, Alcaraz is the youngest man to collect three major titles title on all the surfaces – clay- French Open, grass – Wimbledon and hard courts – U. S. Open. He was also the youngest man to be year-end No. 1 in the ATP Rankings in 2022 at 19-years-old.
“Different tournaments, different aura, but I’m going to say: same feeling. I mean, winning a Grand Slam is always special,” said Alcaraz.
“It’s an amazing career already,” the 27-year-old Zverev said to Alcaraz during the trophy ceremony. “You’re already a Hall of Famer. You already achieved so much — and you’re only 21 years old.” “Incredible player. Not the last time you’re going to win this.”
Alcaraz has been struggling with a right forearm injury during this clay court season and came into Roland Garros with big doubts.
“The last month we were struggling a lot with the injury,” Alcaraz said during the trophy presentation. “Looking back to Madrid, I didn’t feel well. The next week there were a lot of doubts and then coming here and practicing not too much. I am really grateful to have the team that I have and the people I have around.
“I know that everyone in my team is giving their heart just to make me improve as a player and a person. To grow up. So I am really grateful and I call you a team, but it is a family.”
Alcaraz will move up in the rankings to No. 2, while Jannik Sinner, who lost to Zverev in the semifinal becomes No. 1. Novak Djokovic whose ranking will fall to No. 3, withdrew from the tournament with a right-knee injury before the quarterfinals.
More to follow….
