“That 12-year-old boy would feel proud,” Carlos Alcaraz relives his Roland Garros dream

Carlos Alcaraz's Roland Garros dream is now a reality.

“That 12-year-old boy would feel proud,” Carlos Alcaraz relives his Roland Garros dream

Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Imago)

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is having the time of his life as he won his first Roland Garros title on Sunday, defeating Alexander Zverev in five sets. The Spaniard matched Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka in the Grand Slam tally with three majors to his name.

It has been a wonderful journey for Alcaraz in Paris, who used to come to the French capital to play junior tennis in his younger days. Fast forward a few years, and he has his name on the Roland Garros trophy. He spoke to ABC about his childhood dream.

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We continue to live it with the utmost enthusiasm. I see videos that came out when I was little here in Paris, watching Roland Garros on some screens on the Eiffel Tower; and years later, lifting the trophy are beautiful moments. That 12-year-old boy would feel proud to know that a few years later he was going to achieve his dream. I'm living it like this, like a dream. Above all, this tournament is super special, which I always followed on television; the tournament that I watched since I was little. Even if this is the third Grand Slam or it is the tenth, I will live it as if it were the first.
Carlos Alcaraz said in an interview with ABC

Alcaraz has become the first male player since Wawrinka to win three Grand Slams. The good thing about it is that he has not even hit his peak yet and has a lot to achieve, with Wimbledon and his first taste of the Olympic Games around the corner.

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The one thing to worry about with Alcaraz is his fitness, as he missed two of the three Masters 1000 tournaments on clay in the build-up to Roland Garros due to elbow issues. Many tennis pundits have advised the young Spaniard to maintain his fitness and health to maximize his career like the Big 3.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal confirm to play doubles in Paris Olympics

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal have decided to join forces as doubles partners for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The tournament will take place on the clay courts of Roland Garros, renowned as the venue for the French Open. Last week, Alcaraz clinched his third Grand Slam title.

Nadal is playing his final Olympic games having amassed a remarkable 22 major titles, including a record 14 championships at Roland Garros. The Games are set to commence on July 26, with the tennis events starting the following day.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal (via IMAGO)

In 2008, Nadal secured an Olympic gold in Beijing, which also guaranteed him as the new World No.1. In contrast, this will be Alcaraz’s debut appearance at the Games, showcasing his burgeoning talent on an international stage.

Earlier this year, Nadal faced uncertainties after his first-round loss to Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros, casting doubt on his participation. However, he has withdrawn from Wimbledon to prepare for the Olympics. With the Paris Games likely to be his final Olympic appearance, the King of Clay is contemplating retirement after this season.

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