Carlos Alcaraz mentioned emulating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s successes appears “unattainable” after profitable his maiden French Open title on Sunday with a victory over Alexander Zverev.
The 21-year-old got here from behind to win 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 and declare his third Grand Slam triumph. Alcaraz’s victory made him the youngest man to win Slam titles on clay, grass, and laborious courts.
French Open 2024: Alcaraz beats Zverev in five-set thriller, wins maiden Roland Garros title
With Roger Federer retired, Nadal anticipated to hold up his racquet this 12 months and Djokovic having a poor season by his excessive requirements, Alcaraz might be primed to dominate the game for years to return.
Though he’s already making historical past, he has some approach to go to match Nadal’s report of 14 French Open titles or Djokovic’s males’s finest whole of 24 Grand Slams.
“Each issues are out of the strange,” he admitted.
“It’s a must to be an alien to get it. What Rafa did with 14 is virtually unattainable. The 24 Grand Slams I hope I can however it’s nearly unattainable. Each issues are out of the strange. Earlier than going through this ultimate, he (coach Juan Carlos Ferrero) informed me, you’re going to struggle to your third Grand Slam title, with the whole lot you have got been by, and you already know the troublesome a part of profitable a Grand Slam, and Djokovic has 24. So it’s unbelievable. Proper now I can’t give it some thought,” he mentioned.
Alcaraz will subsequent flip his attentions to the grass-court season and the defence of his Wimbledon title.
However he already has one eye on returning to Roland Garros subsequent month for the Paris Olympics, the place he’s anticipated to play alongside the 38-year-old Nadal within the doubles.
French Open 2024: On this Grand Slam ultimate, I did the whole lot I may, says Alexander Zverev
“After I come again right here to the Olympics I’ll have flashbacks. It may be very good, my first Video games 40 days after profitable my first Roland Garros,” he added.
“I actually wish to. Struggle to present my nation a medal, be capable of play doubles with my idol Rafa Nadal. Let’s struggle. Coming again right here goes to be a particular feeling.”
– ‘Dream come true’ –
He’s the eighth Spanish man to win the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
“In Roland Garros, figuring out all of the Spanish gamers who’ve gained this match and be capable of put my identify on that tremendous record is one thing unbelievable,” Alcaraz informed reporters.
“One thing that I dreamt about, being on this place, since I began enjoying tennis, since I used to be 5, six years previous. So it’s an amazing, nice feeling.”
Third-ranked Alcaraz has already gained three main titles, 5 Masters 1000 tournaments and grow to be the youngest ever world primary, however mentioned Sunday’s triumph was his proudest second to date.
He had struggled with a proper arm harm within the build-up to the match, lacking each the Monte Carlo Masters and the Rome Open, both aspect of a quarter-final loss to Andrey Rublev in Madrid.
“Proper now lifting the Roland Garros trophy, figuring out the whole lot that I’ve been by the final month with the accidents and all that stuff, I don’t know. In all probability this one,” he mentioned.
“In all probability this one is the second that I’m actually pleased with myself, due to the whole lot that I’ve accomplished the final month simply to be prepared for this match. So I’m going to say this one is probably the most that I’m pleased with myself.”