Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz has achieved what the ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal couldn’t this year as the 21-year-old downed Alexander Zverev and won the French Open title.
Alcaraz triumphed 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 over four hours and 19 minutes to secure his third grand slam and become the youngest in men’s tennis history to triumph on each of the three surfaces, surpassing Nadal by 18 months.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Carlos Alcaraz makes history with French Open title.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
He is now just an Australian Open championship away from becoming the youngest to complete a career grand slam — and such is the speed at which he has become a force that he could do so in 2027 and still claim that record.
After the 14-time champion Nadal was knocked out by Zverev in the first round, Alcaraz stepped up to fulfil Spain’s modern destiny by winning Roland Garros — the country’s men have now claimed 17 of the past 23 titles.
“Some things never change,” tennis commentator Mark Petchey said, while as the Spanish anthem played the tournament’s official account wrote: “We know this one well.”
Beyond the Nadal symmetry, it was also a full-circle moment for Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The Spaniard lifted the trophy as a player in 2003 and previously coached Zverev.
Alcaraz was on the brink of a more comfortable four-set victory over Zverev when he led 5-2 in the third, only to concede five games in a row and begin fearing within himself that he was done.
Yet he emerged even stronger and was rewarded for being the bolder and more attacking of the two players.
Alcaraz revealed after the match just how difficult the past few months have been with a forearm injury and it offered an inkling into why he felt so particularly proud of his fightback.
“My team has done incredible work the last month. We were struggling a lot with the injury, and coming back to Madrid, I didn’t feel well,” he said.
“The next weeks with a lot of doubts, coming here not practising too much, I wasn’t on the court. I’m really grateful to have the team I have, the people I have around.
“I know everyone in my team is giving their heart just to make me improve as a player, as a person. I’m really grateful. I call you a team, but it’s a family.”
Alcaraz spoke before the final of “running home” from school just to watch the French Open, desperate to one day join Nadal, Ferrero, Albert Costa and Carlos Moya as a champion.
In the aftermath of his victory, a photo of Alcaraz watching the tournament on a big screen at the Eiffel Tower did the rounds on social media — and that famous Parisian landmark will now feature on his next tattoo.
He paid a special tribute to his parents and the many family members watching on.
“I’m glad to have part of my family here. For me it’s amazing to have you here supporting me,” Alcaraz said.
“The times that you are not here in the tournament supporting me in real life, I know that you are supporting from the TV at home. All the support that you’ve given to me, it’s amazing.
“Since I was a little kid I was running when I finished school just to put the TV on just to watch this tournament.
“Now I’m lifting the trophy in front of all of you. Thank you so much for everything.”
Zverev played the spoiler in the opening round when he sent Nadal packing but he was unable to find a higher gear against Alcaraz.
The German won his semi-final on the day a court case against him for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend was terminated after a settlement was reached.
The 27-year-old was contesting a penalty order and fine of 450,000 euros ($A738,000) issued last October.
Zverev has always maintained his innocence and the settlement did not include an admission of guilt.
On the tennis court, he now has another brutal defeat to reckon with after being just a set away from lifting the trophy.
In the 2020 US Open final Zverev was two sets up on Dominic Thiem, and a break ahead in the fifth, only to fall short.
Then at the French Open two years ago, while playing some of the best tennis of his career, he suffered a horror ankle injury during his semi-final against Nadal.
“I know everything you have been through the last few years with the injury here on this court,” Alcaraz said to Zverev.
“The work you put until today, being here in the final of this tournament has been an unbelievable journey since that.
“I’m pretty sure that (level of) tennis gives you the opportunity, that you’re gonna have the chance to win slams and this tournament very soon.
“Keep going and congratulations.”
– with AAP