The incredible Carlos Alcaraz has achieved another tennis milestone at the tender age of just 21, outlasting Alexander Zverev over five exhausting, absorbing sets to become French Open men’s singles champion.
The young Spaniard proved too strong, too aggressive and was ultimately infused with too much self-belief for Zverev to cope with as he fought back to down the German Olympic champion 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in a final full of see-sawing drama over four hours 19 minutes on Sunday.
The world No.3 now has three grand slams to his name, after his Wimbledon title last year and his US Open triumph in 2022, keeping up his perfect record in major finals.
But he had looked to be in a world of trouble on a warm but windy Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros after he somehow lost the third set despite having led 5-2 and served for a two sets to one lead at 5-3.
But Alcaraz brushed aside the disappointment to become the seventh – and youngest – man to capture slam titles on hard, grass and now clay courts.
Fourth seed Zverev had knocked out the great Rafael Nadal in the first round, but Alcaraz ensured there was a measure of revenge for Spain as he joined the great 14-time champion as the only men to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires at the age of 22 or under.