Carlos Alcaraz described it as destiny after pulling off a dramatic comeback to win his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open on Sunday, matching the number of majors his childhood idol Rafael Nadal had achieved by the same age.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, often seen as Nadal’s successor on clay, rallied from two sets down for the first time in his career to defeat world number one Jannik Sinner in a match he said had it all.
Alcaraz Matches Nadal’s Milestone with Epic French Open Victory
Carlos Alcaraz called it destiny when he matched Rafael Nadal’s tally of five Grand Slam titles at the same age, declaring, “The coincidence of winning my fifth Grand Slam at the same age as Rafa Nadal—I’m going to say that’s destiny.” Nadal was just one day younger when he defeated Roger Federer in the iconic 2008 Wimbledon final to claim his fifth major.
Alcaraz, who conquered Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the longest French Open final in professional history, expressed how meaningful the moment was to him. “It’s a stat I’m going to keep with me forever—winning the fifth Grand Slam at the same time as Rafa, my idol, my inspiration. It’s a huge honour,” he said.
The final featured dramatic momentum shifts, thunderous winners, and breathtaking rallies. Alcaraz credited the electrifying Paris crowd for fueling his comeback as he battled from two sets down to win 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2).
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Alcaraz Defies Odds to Seize Fifth Grand Slam in Epic Showdown
Carlos Alcaraz credited the roaring Paris crowd for helping him stay alive in the match. “Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to come back,” he said. “At the start of the third set, everything was going his way. I had to erase those thoughts from my mind and fight.”
Alcaraz saved three match points, but he highlighted a different moment as the true turning point—when he trailed 6-5 in the final set and fought back to force a super tiebreak. “The match points weren’t great points. I saved them, which is great, but the quality wasn’t there,” he admitted.
“What I do remember clearly are the points at 6-5 in the fifth—at 15-30, 30-all, deuce. He was dominating that game. I still don’t know how I managed to save it,” Alcaraz said. “It was balls kissing the line, slicing the line. Somehow, I turned it around.”
With this victory, Alcaraz not only solidified his place among tennis’s elite but also fueled anticipation of a new era of rivalries, especially with Jannik Sinner, who already holds three Grand Slam titles.
