Carlos Alcaraz expressed that his first French Open victory on Sunday stands as the proudest moment of his illustrious career. By winning this title, the 21-year-old Spaniard became the youngest man to secure Grand Slam titles on all three major surfaces, adding to his Wimbledon and US Open triumphs. Alcaraz's victory at Roland Garros saw him overcome German Alexander Zverev in a hard-fought match with scores of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, placing him in the esteemed company of tennis legends like Mats Wilander, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Despite arriving in Paris with limited match play due to a right forearm injury, Alcaraz's latest achievement felt particularly significant. Reflecting on his journey, he highlighted the importance of winning the US Open in 2022, which marked his ascent to world number one, a lifelong dream realized with his first Grand Slam title. His Wimbledon victory in 2023, where he defeated Djokovic in a grueling five-set match, was another milestone. Yet, lifting the Roland Garros trophy amidst recent challenges and injuries holds a special place for him.
Alcaraz had faced a difficult path leading up to the French Open, withdrawing from Monte Carlo and the Barcelona Open because of his injury. Although he made an attempt to defend his title in Madrid, his journey ended in the quarterfinals, and he also skipped the Italian Open. Despite these setbacks, Alcaraz felt well-prepared for the French Open, crediting his intensive practice sessions with strong players in Paris for his readiness. He noted that with each match, his performance and confidence improved, culminating in his triumphant run at Roland Garros.
In celebration of his latest achievement, Alcaraz plans to commemorate the occasion with a tattoo of the Eiffel Tower and the date of his victory. He has a tradition of marking his Grand Slam successes with tattoos and intends to continue it by getting inked on his left ankle, contrasting with the tattoo on his right ankle from his Wimbledon win. This symbolic gesture will serve as a lasting reminder of his extraordinary journey and accomplishments in the sport.
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