Carlos Alcaraz overcame a grueling challenge to defeat Alexander Zverev in a thrilling five-set final at the French Open, becoming the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces.
The 21-year-old Spaniard clinched victory with a scoreline of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, on Sunday, after four hours and 19 minutes of intense play on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Alcaraz, who suffered from cramps during the match, made a stunning comeback from a 2-1 deficit in sets. Reflecting on his triumph, Alcaraz said, “Winning here at Roland Garros has always been my dream. To achieve this at such a young age is unbelievable.”
This victory adds the Roland Garros title to his achievements at Wimbledon against Novak Djokovic last year and the 2022 US Open. Alcaraz’s latest triumph places him on the brink of becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, should he win the Australian Open next year.
Fourth-seed Zverev, still seeking his first Grand Slam title, struggled despite showing promise. His frustration was evident as he remarked post-match, “I had my chances, but Carlos was exceptional today. I will keep pushing and hope to break through soon.”
The final began with both players displaying nerves. Zverev, who double-faulted on the opening points, saw Alcaraz break immediately. Alcaraz also faltered early but quickly found his rhythm, winning the first set 6-3. However, Zverev fought back, capitalizing on Alcaraz’s errors to take the second set 6-2 and then the third set 7-5.
The pivotal moment arrived in the fourth set when Alcaraz broke Zverev’s serve for a 2-0 lead, following a disputed line call that rattled Zverev. Alcaraz’s resilience shone through as he secured the set 6-1, despite dealing with cramps and requiring a medical time-out.
In the decisive fifth set, Alcaraz’s determination proved too much for Zverev. After a controversial overruled call that favored Alcaraz, he surged ahead, eventually sealing the match with a powerful forehand that left Zverev unable to respond. The victory prompted Alcaraz to drop to the clay in disbelief, celebrating his hard-fought win.
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz added, “It was one of the toughest battles I’ve faced. I had to dig deep, but the support from the crowd and my team carried me through.”
Zverev, who recently settled a domestic abuse case in Germany, remains without a major title despite having previously reached the US Open final in 2020 and losing six Slam semi-finals. “It’s tough to accept another loss in a final,” Zverev noted, “but I’ll take the positives and keep working hard.”
Alcaraz’s victory not only marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career but also cements his status as a formidable force in men’s tennis.
