Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after successful in opposition to Germany’s Alexander Zverev on the finish of their males’s singles ultimate match on Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier on day fifteen of the French Open tennis event on the Roland Garros Advanced in Paris on June 9, 2024. (Picture by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Carlos Alcaraz’s conquer Alexander Zverev on the French Open on Sunday marked the newest chapter in a narrative predicted to finish with “30 Grand Slam titles.”
The 21-year-old has develop into accustomed to setting landmarks.
When he received his maiden Slam title on the US Open two years in the past he grew to become the youngest champion of a males’s main since storied compatriot Rafael Nadal on the 2005 French Open.
READ: Carlos Alcaraz performs down chasing ‘unattainable’ Nadal, Djokovic information
He additionally grew to become the youngest man to ascend to the world primary rating. His Roland Garros coronation makes him the youngest to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and arduous courts.
“I’ve a particular feeling at this event, as a result of I bear in mind once I end college I’m working to my house simply to place the TV on and watch the matches right here within the French Open,” Alcaraz stated.
He’s the eighth Spanish man in historical past to win at Roland Garros.
“I wished to place my title on that listing of the Spanish gamers who received this event. Not solely Rafa. (Juan Carlos) Ferrero, (Carlos) Moya, (Albert) Costa, loads of Spanish gamers, legends from our sport that received this event.”
The modest, muscular star from the small Murcian city of El Palmar in Spain’s south-east hit the giant-killing jackpot at Madrid in 2022 when he grew to become the one man to defeat each Nadal and Djokovic on the similar clay-court occasion.
READ: Carlos Alcaraz overcomes Zverev to win first French Open title
For good measure, he achieved it on back-to-back days on his solution to the title.
“Carlos’s depth and pace is one thing you hardly ever see,” stated Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal.
‘By no means provides up’
“His recreation follows the identical path as Rafa; he by no means provides up till the final ball and has that attribute depth.”
Nadal was additionally 19 when he received the primary of his 22 Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in 2005.
Nevertheless, Nadal has all the time pleaded with followers to not put strain on Alcaraz by making daring comparisons.
“I forgot what I used to be like at 19,” stated Nadal. “The one factor we are able to do is benefit from the profession of a unprecedented participant like Carlos.
“If he manages to win 25 Grand Slams, it is going to be improbable for him and for our nation. However let him take pleasure in his profession.”
Regardless of Nadal’s reluctance, making comparisons is unavoidable.
Nadal received the primary of his 92 titles at Sopot on the age of 18 in 2004.
Alcaraz, who discovered the sport at a tennis college run by his father, was additionally 18 when he captured his maiden ATP trophy at Umag in 2021.
READ: Carlos Alcaraz hopes of dream Olympic doubles with Rafael Nadal
Each males are fiercely protecting of their personal lives, take pleasure in passionate crowd assist and construct their video games on steely protection and thrilling, flamboyant assault.
Nadal famously fought out a five-hour and 53-minute Australian Open ultimate in 2012, solely to lose to Djokovic.
4 years earlier, he received his first Wimbledon crown in a four-hour 48-minute epic in opposition to Roger Federer in a match extensively hailed as the best Slam ultimate of all time.
‘Aggressive child’
“I do know that I’m a really aggressive child. I compete every time I play something — golf, petanca,” stated Alcaraz. “I don’t prefer to lose.”
At his facet is his coach Ferrero, the 2003 French Open winner who additionally took the primary rating on the US Open later that 12 months.
“I might love for Carlos to win 30 Grand Slams. There can be loads of possibilities,” stated Ferrero, who started working with Alcaraz when he was simply 15.
Alcaraz was already successful junior European and Spanish titles in decrease classes beneath the steering of Albert Molina, an agent with IMG.
Molina established the Alcaraz-Ferrero partnership.
Ferrero then introduced Alcaraz into his academy in Valencia, 120km from El Palmar.
His uncooked potential quickly attracted sponsors, with marquee manufacturers reminiscent of Nike and Rolex dashing to enroll Nadal’s inheritor obvious.
The tennis group across the prodigy was additionally increasing and shortly included a bodily coach, a physiotherapist and the assist of psychologists and medical doctors.
A sign of his potential was apparent on the Rio clay-court occasion in 2020 when he was simply 16, and ranked 406 on the earth, he shocked Albert Ramos-Vinolas to register his first ATP win.
Alcaraz and Ferrero have developed a deep skilled and private bond.
That relationship was sealed when Ferrero, having returned house following the dying of his father, shortly crossed the Atlantic once more simply in time to see Alcaraz win his first Masters title at Miami in March two years in the past.
“Let him move, let him play,” stated Ferrero when requested to plot his pupil’s future trajectory.
For Alcaraz, the sky is the restrict as he goes searching for a profession Grand Slam in Australia subsequent 12 months.
