Carlos Alcaraz Calls Winning 5th Major at Exact Same Age as Rafael Nadal ‘Destiny’ After Lifting French Open

Carlos Alcaraz overcame Jannik Sinner to defend his Roland Garros title and broke many records in the process.

Carlos Alcaraz Calls Winning 5th Major at Exact Same Age as Rafael Nadal ‘Destiny’ After Lifting French Open

Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via The Press Democrat, X/Carlos Alcaraz)

Carlos Alcaraz broke a plethora of records after beating Jannik Sinner in the longest French Open final on Sunday (June 8). In the five-hour, 29-minute battle, Alcaraz came from two sets down to clinch a mind-blowing 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) victory.

Alcaraz turned 22 on May 5 this year. At 22 years, one month, and three days old, he lifted his fifth Grand Slam title. Back in 2008, his compatriot Rafael Nadal played an epic Wimbledon final against Roger Federer to clinch his fifth Major.

The 14-time French Open champion too was 22 years, one month, and three days old. At the press conference after his win, Alcaraz was asked about this astounding similarity.

Well, I mean, I have to realize that I’ve done it. I think that’s the first step. Honestly the coincidence of winning my 5th Slam at the same age as Rafa Nadal…I’m gonna say that’s destiny I guess. It’s a stat that I’m gonna keep with me forever. Winning the 5th Slam at the same as Rafa, my idol, my inspiration. It’s a huge honor. Hopefully, it’s not gonna stop like this.

Carlos Alcaraz replied

The match was Alcaraz’s 12th clash with Sinner and now he leads 8-4 in the head-to-head record over the Italian. It was the first time they met in a Grand Slam final.

Sinner has reached the finals of the three tournaments he has played this season, winning the Australian Open by beating Alexander Zverev. After serving his three-month doping ban, Sinner lost to Alcaraz in the Italian Open final.

Alcaraz has now won his fourth title of the season and his third on clay. Before defending his title in Paris, he became a winner in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, and Rome for the first time in his career. Except for the Barcelona Open (lost to Holger Rune in the final), Alcaraz captured every title in the tournaments he played on clay.

Carlos Alcaraz wins the first match of his career after being two sets down

Carlos Alcaraz became just the ninth player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam final after recovering from two sets down. He has won every Grand Slam final he has played, while Jannik Sinner lost a Major final for the first time in his career.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Univers Tennis)

Had Sinner won, it would have been his third straight Grand Slam final victory after the 2024 US Open and this year’s Australian Open. The two young rivals have also captured seven of the last eight Grand Slam titles. It was Alcaraz’s career’s first victory in a match where he lost two sets.

Today the match had everything, very good moments, very tough moments. I am very, very happy. I am proud of how I faced everything today. It wasn’t easy. It’s the first match where I came back from two sets down. I think there couldn’t have been a better occasion to do it than in a Grand Slam final.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

The Murcia native has now become the third youngest to win five Grand Slam titles after Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal. He is also the third man in the Open Era to clinch a Major after saving at least one match point.

Next is the grass swing. Sinner has won just the 2024 Halle Open, while Alcaraz is a three-time champion on the surface. At Wimbledon, Alcaraz defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the last two finals. Sinner was in the semifinals in 2023 at SW19. Last year, he lost a five-set thriller to Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals.

Also Read: PGA Tour Comparing Carlos Alcaraz to Tiger Woods After Winning French Open Doesn’t Sit Well with Golf Fans: “Don’t Try to Compare Anyone to the Goat”