Alcaraz grateful for French Open heist after struggle with injuries, doubts

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 10, 2024 00:16 IST

Carlos Alcaraz said that he wasn’t in a great mental space before taking part in the French Open 2024. On Sunday, June 9, Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev 6-2, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in 4 hours and 19 minutes to win his maiden Roland Garros title. After his heist at Philippe-Chatrier, the 21-year-old became the youngest to win Grand Slams on 3 surfaces.

French Open 2024 Final Highlights

Prior to the French Open, Alcaraz missed the Italian Open due to an injury to his right forearm. The youngster said that due to lack of practice, he was grappled with self-doubts before the clay-court major. The Spaniard thanked his team for keeping his morale high and giving him the confidence to play in the tournament.

‘It is a family’

“To my team, it’s been incredible work the last month. We were struggling a lot with the injury. Coming back to Madrid, I didn’t feel well the next weeks we had a lot of doubts. Coming here without practicing too many hours on the court,” Alcaraz said in the on-court interview.

“I’m really grateful to have the team I have. The people I have around me. I know everyone in my team is giving their heart just to make me improve as a player and as a person, to grow up. I’m really grateful. I call you a team. But it’s a family,” Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz also heaped praise on Zverev for putting in the hard yards in the last couple of weeks. Earlier, Zverev broke his semi-final jinx after beating Casper Ruud in 4 sets. However, he lost his second Grand Slam final after losing to Dominic Thiem in the US Open 2020.

“I know everything you’ve been through the last few years with the injury on this court. The work you put today to be here in the final has been an unbelievable journey. I’m pretty sure you’re going have the chance to win this tournament very soon. Keep going and congratulations,” Alcaraz added.

Alcaraz now has a chance to defend his Wimbledon crown. Last year, Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the final and expectations will be high when the grass-court major starts in July.