Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his victory after defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev to win the trophy in the men’s final of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Sunday.
Thibaut Camus/Associated Press
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Thibaut Camus/Associated Press
PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz began his comeback in Sunday’s French Open final, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 to win the French Open. Nets first title and third Grand Slam title all in all, the kid’s magical shots have become a regular part of his diverse repertoire.
It was a running, then sliding, untouchable forehand pass winner along the baseline, and Alcaraz celebrated by raising his right index finger above his head in a “No. 1″ motion. 1” gesture, and then threw an uppercut while screaming “Vamos!”
No, he’s not currently ranked No. 1 — Jannik Sinner, whom he defeated in the semifinals, climbed to the top spot for the first time on Monday — but Alcaraz has been No. 1 before, though there will be a “ 2″ His name will be announced next week and there is no doubt that he will be as good in men’s tennis as he is now. And more accomplished than anyone his age.
Alcaraz is a 21-year-old from Spain who grew up running home from school to watch on television his countryman Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking trophies at Roland Garros. 14 titles – He surpassed Nadal to become the youngest man to win a Grand Slam title on three surfaces. Nadal was about 1.5 years older when he did this.
“Different tournaments, different aura,” Alcaraz said when asked how to distinguish his three trophies, “but I would say: the same feeling. I mean, winning a Grand Slam championship It’s very special.
The player from the clay-court Grand Slam joins the hard-body ranks, having won the 2022 US Open on hard courts and the 2023 Wimbledon grass-court tournament. achievements.
“It’s been an amazing career already. You’re already a Hall of Famer. You’ve accomplished so much and you’re only 21 years old. “Incredible player. This isn’t the last time you win this.
Zverev, 27, from Germany, has withdrawn from the French Open in the semifinals each of the past three years, including tearing ankle ligaments against Nadal in the second set of the round in 2022. Hours before his semi-final victory over Kaspar Ruud began on Friday, Berlin’s district court announced that he had reached an out-of-court settlement, ending a trial stemming from accusations of assault by his ex-girlfriend during a 2020 argument.
Against Alcaraz on Sunday, Zverev led in the final five games of the third set but then struggled. Alcaraz’s level dropped during the period and he appeared distracted by complaints about clay-court conditions, which he told chair umpire Reno Lichtenstein was “unbelievable.”
But Alcaraz regrouped and shook off the situation, winning 12 of his last 15 games while receiving treatment from his coach on the switch for some pain and cramping in his left leg.
“I knew when I got to the fifth set, you have to give everything, you have to give your heart,” Alcaraz said. “I mean, in those moments, top players play their best tennis.”
Third seed Alcaraz and fourth seed Zverev made their first French Open final appearances. In fact, it was the first men’s championship match since 2004 at Roland Garros without at least one of Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer.
Nadal, 38, has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons and lost to Zverev in the first round two weeks ago; Djokovic, 37, a three-time champion, was in the quarters Withdrew before the final due to a knee injury requiring surgery; Federer, 42, retired.
It was a little nervous at first. Zverev double-faulted twice early on – changing his racket after the second as if the equipment was to blame – and then got smashed. Alcaraz immediately lost serve as well.
Let’s put it this way, they wouldn’t spend the first 10 minutes in the Louvre. In fact, much of the 4-hour, 19-minute game was uneven and filled with unforced errors.
Alcaraz was at his best when it mattered most – the final two sets.
“I lost focus and when I was serving, I no longer had strength in my legs, which was weird. Because normally I don’t get tired. I don’t cramp,” Zverev said. “With Carlos, the intensity is different.”
As he did against Zverev, Alcaraz came back from a two-sets-one deficit against Sinner, making him the first since Manolo Santana, also from Spain, in 1961 A player who has won the French Open in each of his last two tournaments.
Alcaraz displayed all his skills: a low ball, a clever half-volley, a formidable forehand that was accompanied by a loud grunt. His 27 forehand winners are 20 more than Zverev’s total.
Not bad for a guy arriving in Paris who said he was afraid of hitting the ball with all his strength because of a forearm injury that kept him out for almost all of May. He said on Sunday there were “a lot of doubts” heading into Roland Garros and that he was forced to limit his practice time – which is why he considers the victory the proudest moment of his fledgling career.
In the fifth set, Zverev was broken under constant pressure from Alcaraz and fell behind 2-1. The next game showed Alcaraz’s hallmarks of courage and aggressiveness.
Zverev – who disputed a penalty on Alcaraz’s second serve that the German later said was out, according to unofficial video commentary – would hold on to four break points. He failed to convert any beliefs. Alcaraz didn’t let him do that and ended the fight with a dropkick.
The crowd cheered. Alcaraz put his left index finger to his ear and swung the racket. He broke serve again to make it 5-2, then finished his serve and fell on his back with dirt on his jersey – as Nadal often does after winning a title.
Alcaraz first learned to play tennis on a rust-colored surface, although he said he prefers hard courts. Alcaraz said he had long dreamed of adding his name to the list of Spanish men who have won the event, including his coach, 2003 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Those red and yellow Spanish flags that have become an annual fixture at Philippe Chatrier during the Nadal era were there again on Sunday, this time at Alcaraz. the difference? The cry of “Rafa!” Rafa! Now it’s “Carlos! Carlos!
