Carlos Alcaraz Becomes First-Time Winner of French Open Tennis Championship
On June 13, 2021, history was made at the prestigious French Open tennis tournament as 18-year-old Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest male player to reach the fourth round since Andrei Medvedev in 1992. But that was just the beginning of his incredible journey at Roland Garros. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Alcaraz went on to defeat some of the biggest names in the sport, including World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, to become the first Spanish man since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to win the French Open.
For Alcaraz, this was a dream come true. Ever since he picked up a tennis racket at the age of four, he had dreamed of winning a Grand Slam title. And now, at just 18 years old, he has achieved what many players can only dream of. But it wasn’t an easy road to victory for the young Spaniard.
Alcaraz’s journey to the French Open title began in the first round, where he faced off against World No. 52 Nikoloz Basilashvili. Despite being the underdog, Alcaraz showed no signs of nerves as he confidently took control of the match, winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. This impressive performance set the tone for the rest of his tournament.
In the second round, Alcaraz faced a tough challenge in the form of World No. 28 Jan-Lennard Struff. But once again, the young Spaniard rose to the occasion, showcasing his powerful forehand and impressive court coverage to defeat Struff 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-2. With each match, Alcaraz’s confidence grew, and so did the support from the crowd.
But it was in the third round that Alcaraz truly made a statement. Going up against the highly-ranked Tsitsipas, who had just won the Monte Carlo Masters and reached the final of the Barcelona Open, Alcaraz showed no fear. In a thrilling five-set match, he outlasted Tsitsipas 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(2), 0-6, 7-6(5), becoming the youngest player to defeat a top-10 opponent at the French Open since Nadal in 2005.
With each victory, Alcaraz’s confidence and belief in himself grew stronger. And in the quarterfinals, he faced his biggest challenge yet – the World No. 1 and defending champion Djokovic. Many expected Djokovic to continue his dominant run at Roland Garros, but Alcaraz had other plans. In a stunning upset, he defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, becoming the youngest player to defeat a World No. 1 at a Grand Slam since Nadal in 2005.
The semi-finals saw Alcaraz face off against another young talent, World No. 6 Alexander Zverev. In a hard-fought battle, Alcaraz once again showed his resilience and determination, coming back from a set down to defeat Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. With this victory, he became the first player born in 2003 to reach a Grand Slam final.
And in the final, Alcaraz faced off against World No. 5 and two-time Grand Slam champion Dominic Thiem. In a match that had the entire tennis world on the edge of their seats, Alcaraz showed no signs of nerves as he took control of the match from the start. With his powerful groundstrokes and incredible speed, he outplayed Thiem to win 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, becoming the first Spanish man since Nadal in 2005 to win the French Open.
As Alcaraz lifted the trophy, tears streaming down his face, it was clear that this was more than just a victory for him. It was a symbol of his hard work, dedication, and determination to achieve his dreams. And with this win, he has not only made history but also
