French Open LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev result and reaction from five-set thriller in men’s final
Alcaraz fought from two sets to one down to become the first player in men’s tennis history to win his first three grand slam titles on different surfaces
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev to win the French Open for the first time and lift a third grand slam title at the age of just 21. The Spaniard became the youngest player in tennis history to win grand slam titles on all three surfaces and defeated the German fourth seed in an epic five-set thriller at Roland Garros, battling from behind to win 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in four hours and 19 minutes.
In what was the first French Open men’s final without either Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer since 2004, Alcaraz held his nerve to defy defeat and he produced a stunning series of passing shots in his comeback. The third seed took a medical timeout in the fourth set but prevailed to extend his perfect record in grand slam finals to three wins from his first three appearances.
Alcaraz, who had previously won the US Open and Wimbledon, is now an Australian Open title away from completing the career grand slam. Meanwhile, Zverev missed the chance to win his first grand slam title, with the 27-year-old losing the US Open final from two sets up against Dominic Thiem in 2020. The German was a set from glory before Alcaraz produced a stunning escape to win the title.
Follow all the latest tennis scores and results from the final day at the French Open below.
Carlos Alcaraz and the turning point of an epic French Open fightback
Even as Carlos Alcaraz walked onto Court Philippe-Chatrier as a two-time grand slam champion, the 21-year-old felt the pressure of a childhood dream that was suddenly within reach in his first French Open final. Every June, back when he was a boy in Murcia, Alcaraz raced home from school to watch Rafael Nadal win title after title at Roland Garros, following the footsteps of Spanish champions such as his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, as well as Carlos Moya and Albert Costa.
Now, as the young Alcaraz’s ascension continues, he is walking in the footsteps of legends after joining that illustrious list of Spanish winners in Paris. In a thrilling, end-to-end final, Alcaraz battled from two sets to one down to defeat the fourth seed Alexander Zverev, 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2, in four hours and 19 minutes. Zverev sensed his first grand slam was close and assumed control at several stages of a breathless battle but no one manages to escape quite like Alcaraz. No one defies defeat quite like he does, either.
Against the German’s thumping serve and restored belief, Alcaraz was down but never beaten: just as he did in his semi-final victory over Jannik Sinner, he hauled himself from behind to win the fourth and fifth. He improved his staggering five-set record to played 13, won 12, all while battling cramp on his right thigh. Closing in on a first grand slam title, Zverev left Alcaraz a narrow window: Alcaraz found it with a sublime forehand winner that curled brilliantly onto the line. The final turned from there.
Carlos Alcaraz and the turning point of an epic French Open fightback
Alcaraz is now walking in the footsteps of legends as he dragged Alexander Zverev into his hall of horrors in an epic five-set French Open final
French Open highlights: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev in thriller
Watch every moment of Roland-Garros LIVE on Eurosport and discovery+
French Open: How many grand slams will Carlos Alcaraz win?
Mats Wilander, the three-time French Open winner and seven-time grand slam champion, tells Eurosport that this will be Carlos Alcaraz’s “most important” grand slam title.
“I think this will easily be the most important grand slam that he has won so far. At the US Open it was all unexpected, at Wimbledon he was playing for everything to win and nothing to lose against the greatest player in our game in Novak Djokovic. I don’t think anyone thought he would win against Djokovic.
“Here, he wins from two sets to one down and he wins easily in the fourth and fifth. This is proof he is not just a great player but he loves to suffer. This is going to be a milestone in his career.”
French Open: Rafael Nadal congratulates Carlos Alcaraz on French Open victory
Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, congratulates its new winner.
“Congratulations @carlosalcaraz for this immense victory!!!! Big!!!! Very happy for your successes!!! #Vamos”.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev to claim third Grand Slam title
The winning moment!
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz ‘had a lot of doubts’ before comeback
Carlos Alcaraz speaking to Eurosport.
“It was a great journey the last two weeks, since the first match. This tournament I wanted to win since five, six years old. It’s great for me, a team come true. I’ll enjoy it with my team.
“When I finished the third I had a lot of doubts, I’m not going to lie. I thought my shots didn’t trouble Sacha. He was dominating with his serve and it was difficult for me. With the nerves, I didn’t play my best tennis, but it’s the final of a grand slam! It was the time to find solutions, to give everything, and of course in the fourth set getting to 4-0 helped me out a lot.
“[The conditions] were difficult. Sacha was playing great tennis, he put a lot of pressure on his serves and he got a lot of returns in. I had to save a lot of break points. The fifth set was 6-2 but I could have lost the fifth set, it was close. It was tricky with the wind, the sun. We know we have to win a way and adapt. I’m really happy to do it today.
“Another tattoo, yes, it’ll be soon!”
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev to claim third Grand Slam title
Three finals, three surfaces, three grand slam titles!
Carlos Alcaraz is incredible.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev to claim third Grand Slam title
More from Alcaraz: “I have loved to have part of my family here. My Mum, my Dad, my Brother, I have loved having you here. All of the support you have given to me since being a little kid. I used to watch this tournament on the TV and now I’m holding the trophy so thank you very much.
“Everyone is a really important part to making this tournament special. It’s not easy to do that, we complain a lot, but you all do a great job. Thank you to everyone.
“The crowd have been great since the first match until today. The support has been unbelievable in the matches and practice. I’ll see you soon, for sure. Thank you.”
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev to claim third Grand Slam title
Here’s Carlos Alcaraz speaking after winning the French Open for the first time: “Hello everyone. First of all, I want to congratulate Sascha for a great tournament.
“Unbelievable the level you are playing and the work you are putting in every day. Everything you have been through the last years in this court. I’m pretty sure you will win Slams and this tournament very, very soon so keep going and congratulations.
“My team have been incredible the last month. We were struggling a lot with the injury. Coming back from Madrid, I didn’t feel well. Coming here and not practicing too much on the court. I’m grateful to have the team that I have. I know everyone in my team is giving their heart to help me improve. I call this a team but it’s a family.”
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev to claim third Grand Slam title
More from Zverev who said: “To my team as well, thank you for not only last the two weeks but the long journey we had since the injury I had on this same court. We were close today, not enough but hopefully one day we will be able to hold this trophy together so thank you.
“Then I would like to thank everyone who makes this tournament possible every year. Amelie [Mauresmo], one of the best tournament directors we have. You do everything for the players. I know it’s tough because we complain a lot but you’re doing the best you can, we really appreciate it so thankyou for the job you’re doing.
“It’s been amazing - the atmosphere, the support has been amazing. I really love to play on this beautiful court, one of my favourite courts on the tour.
“I’ll be back next year.”
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