Spanish tennis players remain the kings of clay.
Just think of Rafael Nadal who won the French Open tennis tournament at Roland-Garros in Paris 14 times. Before him there were other Spanish legends such as Manuel Santana, Sergi Bruguera and Carlos Moya who also won in Paris.
On Sunday, 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who only came of age last month, joined his heroes when he won his third Grand Slam title.
Alcaraz beat Alexender Zverev from Germany in a marathon battle with 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2.
Alcaraz has already won the US Open in 2022 as well as the Wimbledon tournament last year.
He is now the youngest player to win a Grand Slam on three different surfaces.
Zverev, who has never won a Grand Slam and lost in the final of the US Open in 2020, tripped over the last hurdle again.
Zverev, who eliminated Nadal in three sets in the first round, had to go twice in five sets before Sunday’s final to beat Tallon Griekspoor (third round) and Holger Rune (last 16).
It took a toll on his energy, as he was on the track for more than 25 hours and it took its toll. As the match against Alcaraz progressed, the 27-year-old Zverev began to slow down.
He was exhausted and very dejected after the match, as this was his big chance after being eliminated twice in the semi-finals and once in the quarter-finals.
Again it was a case of so close, but still too far.
It was fitting that Bjorn Borg, the Swedish legend, presented the Coupe des Mousquetaires winner’s trophy to Alcaraz.
Bjorn has won the French Open six times and knows what it means to come out on top in Paris.
But shortly before the handover, Zverev had high praise for Alcaraz in his interview.
“It’s an incredible career… he’s already in the Grand Slam hall of fame, he’s already achieved so much as a 21-year-old… he’s an incredible player and it’s not the last time he’ll win here,” Zverev said. said according to the BBC.
And then it was Alcaraz’s turn: “I am delighted to have a part of my family here. My mother, my father, my brother. All the support you have given me since my childhood. I was used to watching the tournament on television and now I’m holding the trophy.”
Just watch him, he has the tennis world at his feet and will reach unprecedented heights.
