Alcaraz claims Paris crown in spectacular five-set battle against Zverev.
In a thrilling and prestigious finale of the French Open, tennis Olympian champion Alexander Zverev suffered defeat against the young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Despite being ahead with a lead of 2:1 sets in the scintillating match over five sets, Zverev's hope of claiming his first Grand Slam title was shattered, along with the opportunity to make history.
Zverev sat on the bench with a vacant stare, while the emerging clay court king Alcaraz, resplendent in his red shirt, bounded to his box to celebrate ecstatically. Losing his chance for a "historic milestone," Zverev now faces the challenge of continuing to pursue his lifelong desire: At the emotional French Open final, the 27-year-old succumbed with a score of 3-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 after four hours and nineteen minutes.
"It was a close call but not close enough," Zverev admitted at the trophy awarding. The roaring cheers of the 15,000 onlookers could not console him. Instead, he respectfully acknowledged Alcaraz: "You're a remarkable player. Three Grand Slam titles at the age of 21, and this isn't your last one," the German said sincerely.
Germany now anticipates their first men's singles Grand Slam triumph since Boris Becker triumphed 28 years ago. As the new torchbearer for Spain, the 21-year-old Alcaraz now assumes the mantle from his accomplished countryman and role model Rafael Nadal in Paris.
This was a match replete with tension and errors from both players. Zverev, who had won his past twelve matches and seemed poised for victory, lost the coveted Coupe des Mousquetaires. He amassed 1.2 million euros as the runner-up, while Alcaraz earned double that amount.
Zverev displays resilience after a shaky start
Zverev had offered his utmost for his dream, playing a total of 19 hours and 27 minutes to reach the final - more than any other French Open contestant since accurate match duration recording began in 1991. For this Sunday's game, an additional four hours were countenanced.
Both had to battle their inner demons initially. Zverev, in particular, faced a struggle. "Rough start for Zverev," Becker observed: "Sascha must be cautious that the train doesn't derail." But in the first set, the train was unstoppable for Zverev, like his semifinal performance against the Norwegian Casper Ruud. He relaxed himself and modified his play in the set break, improving his serves, even during lengthy exchanges. A soul-stirring point at 3-2, 30-30, with his own serve, elicited noisy and exuberant applause from Zverev for the first time. His father and mentor Alexander senior on the clustering stands also appeared more relaxed.
Zverev experiences more bad luck due to umpire's call
In the third set, Zverev went against a 4-2 handicap but regained the set, but in the fourth set, the German was powerless notwithstanding Alcaraz seeking medical attention for his cramped left thigh. It all came down to a winner-takes-all final set. Zverev faced another dose of misfortune concerning an umpire's decision, which neglected to consider a possible double fault from Alcaraz at 1-2, 40-15 in favor of Zverev, thereby forestalling a break for Zverev to even the scores at 2-2.
This year marks Zverev's fourth attempt at a Grand Slam triumph, having missed in the 2020 US Open final against Austrian Dominic Thiem. He held a 2-0 advantage then. In 2022, he expected to lay claim to the Roland Garros trophy but instead suffered a torn outer ankle tendon from Nadal in the semifinals.
This year, he vanquished the 37-year-old Spaniard in the opening round. However, he could not best his fellow countryman and up-and-coming prodigy who has now won Grand Slams on all three surfaces.
