As a young boy, Carlos Alcaraz would rush home from school to watch his idol, Rafael Nadal, dominate the French Open. Now, at 21, Alcaraz stands on the brink of creating his own legacy at Roland Garros, just like his hero.
The Spaniard, who has already claimed titles at the 2022 US Open and Wimbledon last year, is set to face Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the French Open final on Sunday. Alcaraz’s journey to the final included a thrilling five-set semi-final victory over the incoming world number one, Jannik Sinner, making him the youngest man to reach Grand Slam finals on hard court, grass, and now the Paris clay.
A win on Sunday would add Alcaraz’s name to an illustrious list of Spanish French Open champions, which features legends such as Rafael Nadal, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Albert Costa, Carlos Moya, and Sergi Bruguera. These players have all triumphed at Roland Garros in the past 30 years, and Alcaraz is eager to join their ranks.
“I have a special feeling about this tournament,” said Alcaraz. “I remember when I finished school, running home just to put the TV on and watch the matches here in the French Open. I watched a lot of matches – of course Nadal dominating this tournament for, let’s say, 14, 15 years. It’s something unbelievable and I wanted to put my name on that list of the Spanish players who won this tournament.”
Alcaraz’s admiration for Nadal and his determination to succeed have fueled his rapid ascent in the tennis world. As he prepares for the final, Alcaraz carries not only his personal ambitions but also the hopes of a nation that has produced some of the greatest clay-court players in history. Victory at Roland Garros would be a monumental step in Alcaraz’s burgeoning career, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
