logo
Anand Mahindra hails Carlos Alcaraz's historic French Open comeback: ‘Worth a thousand pep talks'

Anand Mahindra hails Carlos Alcaraz's historic French Open comeback: ‘Worth a thousand pep talks'

Carlos Alcaraz has cemented his place in tennis history with a breathtaking victory at the 2025 French Open, overcoming World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in what turned out to be the longest final the tournament has ever seen. The Spaniard, known for his audacious drop shots and fighting spirit, staged a remarkable comeback to lift his second consecutive Roland Garros title.
Coming to Paris, Alcaraz had been battling fitness issues, including a hamstring and groin injury sustained during the Barcelona Open final in April. But true to form, when it mattered the most, he delivered one of the most incredible performances of his career.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra summed up the mood perfectly, calling Alcaraz's winning moment 'worth a thousand pep talks' and a reminder that 'it isn't over till it's over.' Known for turning sporting moments into lessons in leadership and grit, Mahindra's post quickly struck a chord with fans.
Make a poster of this picture…
It's worth a thousand pep talks
Carlos Alcaraz at the French open, facing three Championship match points at 0–40 of the fourth set
Recovered to win the Championship
It isn't over till it's over
NEVER give up pic.twitter.com/9y3zDu7SUi
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 10, 2025
Online, tennis fans couldn't get enough. 'This is the moment where Legends are made,' one user wrote. Another echoed the sentiment: 'The comeback writes a better story than the win itself.' Someone else simply added, 'Champions get up even when they can't!'
The final was a nerve-shredder—lasting nearly six hours—and saw Alcaraz claw his way back from two sets down. He saved three championship points along the way, ultimately winning 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 in a contest that will be remembered for years to come.
Online, tennis fans couldn't get enough. 'This is the moment where Legends are made,' one user wrote. Another echoed the sentiment: 'The comeback writes a better story than the win itself.' Someone else simply added, 'Champions get up even when they can't!'
For Alcaraz, this victory wasn't just about lifting another trophy—it was about making history. The 22-year-old is now only the second man ever to win his first five Grand Slam finals, following in the footsteps of Roger Federer. His list of major titles now includes the 2022 US Open, 2023 Wimbledon, back-to-back French Opens in 2024 and 2025, and the 2024 Wimbledon crown.
The triumph also snapped Jannik Sinner's flawless record in Grand Slam finals. The Italian had previously won all three of his major title matches—the 2024 Australian Open, 2024 US Open, and 2025 Australian Open—but found himself undone by Alcaraz's refusal to back down.
With five major trophies to his name and an unbeaten streak in Grand Slam finals, Alcaraz now finds himself in rarefied air, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with legends of the game. And if Paris taught us anything this year, it's that when Carlos Alcaraz is on the court—no matter the score—it truly isn't over till it's over.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US open returns to punishing Oakmont: Scheffler, McIlroy, DeChambeau chase glory
US open returns to punishing Oakmont: Scheffler, McIlroy, DeChambeau chase glory

Economic Times

time34 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

US open returns to punishing Oakmont: Scheffler, McIlroy, DeChambeau chase glory

Major golf is typically the preserve of the most accomplished professionals in the sport. The US Open stands out as a uniquely democratic adventure through a comprehensive qualifying golfer with a 0.4 handicap index or better is welcome to lay claim to one of the many spots in the field. The 2025 championship accepted a record 10,202 entries, with competitors navigating a rigorous two-stage process beginning with 18-hole local qualifying across 110 sites, followed by 36-hole final qualifying events at 13 venues for those who advance. Sixty-five golfers punched their tickets to Oakmont through the qualification 125th edition of the US Open, and the 10th at Oakmont Country Club, promises to be blinding thriller as 156 fine golfers set sail to rein in an increasingly dominant Scottie Scheffler and an unforgiving course. Sailing the tailwinds from winning the PGA Championship and the Memorial, Scheffler is the star. Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion, and Bryson DeChambeau, the defending champion will hope to keep their arrows straight as they chase the world No.1 down the lane to glory. The comprehensive repertoire of Xander Schauffele and the steady irons of Collin Morikawa will also keep the duo in the conversation at Oakmont. Dustin Johnson, the winner of the previous US Open at this venue in 2016, will also fancy his chances, but his recent form on the LIV circuit has been far from impressive. The US Open's open qualifying process has produced compelling stories. Amateur Mason Howell turned in an astounding performance, firing 63s to force his way through the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta. Frankie Harris, another amateur, battled through qualifying at Emerald Dunes in Florida. Professional Cameron Young, a rising star with near-miss major finishes, secured his place via a playoff at Kinsale Golf Club, adding excitement to his major pursuit. Tough Course Oakmont Country Club, a 7,372-yard par-70 course, is renowned for its difficulty. Its greens and fairways, firm and fast, demand precision. The rough, at 5 inches, is thick and unforgiving, punishing errant drives. Greens, running at 15 on the Stimpmeter, are lightning-fast, testing putting skills. The course's 175 bunkers, including the iconic Church Pews between holes 3 and 4, and narrow fairways amplify the challenge. Expect the scores to be snippets of agony, reflecting the bleeding mayhem from marching a treacherous path to elusive glory. Just a few strokes below par should be enough to contend on psychological demands of the US Open create a unique crucible that reveals character and separates the gladiators from the invertebrates. Course management and composure are just as vital as accuracy off the tee, and a sharp eye on the pacy, undulating greens. Alpha Male The steady hand and calm mind of Scheffler seem like just the tools necessary to thrive at Oakmont. The American is gaining 3.5 strokes to the round in his past five events, and his disciplined effort at Muirfield (nothing fancy, 70-70-68-70) underlines why he will enter the week as the Alpha was anticipation that McIlroy, free in the mind after completing his set of majors, might play fearless golf. But evidence from the PGA Championship (T47) and the Canadian Open (MC) suggests that he is battling his satiated cells for motivation. We might be in store for a special spectacle if he rises up to the gruelling demands in the two-time US Open champion (2020, 24), has been rock solid in the majors. He was inside the top ten in five of the last six majors. He has been putting well recently, but Oakmont punishes the slightest drift off the tee, and DeChambeau might find this hard to deal with this has been made of Jon Rahm's top ten streak (21) on LIV Golf. Importantly though, Rahm was tied for the lead on Sunday at Quail Hollow before suffering an uncharacteristic meltdown over the final three holes. The Spaniard will be eager to erase those memories and prove yet again that he belongs with the best. Rahm has two top ten finishes in the last three majors, and a T14 in the Masters this April. Oakmont will afford Rahm just the inspiration he needs to reclaim some territory from his PGA Tour has an astounding record in the US Open. In eight attempts, the lowest finish is a T14 in 2022. The two-time major champion secured a top 10 on every other visit to the tournament. He will bring that confidence to Oakmont, and his ability to thrive on setups that demand all round brilliance. Expect him to force his way into the conversation again on Sunday even if it might not be enough to take the whole the LIV Golf side of the ropes, Joaquin Niemann will tee off yet again trying to prove his detractors wrong. He has won four events this season, but he might draw the most inspiration from a T8 in the PGA Championship, his best result in a ready to spill some popcorn on the couch and carpet. You will agonise with the best and shrivel in fear and frustration as Oakmont wreaks havoc, drawing blood and tears from the very best. Thankfully, you can kneel and pray as the players walk in trepidation between the third and fourth holes, past the Church Pews. It is an iconic 100-yard hazard with a dozen ridges, and a poignant passage of redemption or dereliction at the Oakmont Country Club.

Scheffler set for ‘hardest' test at Oakmont for US Open
Scheffler set for ‘hardest' test at Oakmont for US Open

The Hindu

timean hour ago

  • The Hindu

Scheffler set for ‘hardest' test at Oakmont for US Open

World number one Scottie Scheffler said Wednesday the formidable Oakmont course could provide "the hardest" challenge of his career at the 125th US Open this week. Lightning-fast sloped greens combined with deep, dense rough and bunkers designed to leave balls along the edges had many players calling it the toughest layout they have faced as Oakmont hosts a record 10th US Open. "This is probably the hardest golf course that we'll play, maybe ever," said Scheffler, who won last month's PGA Championship for his third major title, ahead of Thursday's opening round. Second-ranked Rory McIlroy, who won the Masters in April to complete a career Grand Slam, called Oakmont a "big brute" and added: "You're going to have to have your wits about you this week all the way." Not since American Jordan Spieth captured the 2015 Masters and US Open has anyone won consecutive majors, but two-time Masters winner Scheffler is on a hot streak. Scheffler has won three of his past four starts, matching a PGA Tour record for low 72-hole total to take the Byron Nelson and defending his Memorial title 10 days ago in addition to his major triumph. "He's in the middle of every fairway," third-ranked Xander Schauffele said of Scheffler. "It takes a serious amount of discipline to play away from pins and hit really good shots to safe targets, and that's what it takes to play well at US Opens." Three-time major winner Spieth said most players will pitch onto fairways from the thick rough rather than try to blast out short of the green. "It magnifies once you make a mistake if you don't play the right shot," Spieth said. "It may cost you half a shot to get back in the fairway a little further up. "They give you more green here to entice you into doing more than you should. There's some risk-reward on this place. You've got to avoid compounding mistakes for sure." Finding the fairway is crucial, McIlroy said. "Decent lies in the rough are few and far between," McIlroy said. "You don't want to ride your luck on this golf course. "You hit the ball in the rough and you're not going to have any control of your ball going into the green, especially these greens that are pitched away from you. "You have to be able to spin the ball going into these greens if you want it to finish anywhere close to where you want." 'There was no loft' And sometimes the rough just wins. "I had some lies that were not playable," fourth-ranked Collin Morikawa said of his time in the rough during practice rounds. "There was no loft." Scheffler, who turns 29 the Saturday after the tournament, made his major debut at Oakmont at the 2016 US Open, missing the cut as a 19-year-old amateur with his older sister Callie serving as his caddie. One year later, Scheffler was low amateur at the US Open and five years after that, he was a Masters champion. "I remember coming here and thinking it was really fun, really cool to be able to play in the US Open," Scheffler said. "But what I really remembered was coming back the next year and ... finishing low am." Scheffler also recalled rushing off the course to watch game six of the 2016 NBA Finals, when LeBron James led Cleveland to victory on the way to taking the title over Stephen Curry and Golden State. "This year's finals is probably not going to affect my schedule as much," Scheffler said. "Golden State was playing Cleveland and I really wanted to watch that because you had LeBron playing Steph." The devoted Dallas Mavericks fan has struggled since his team traded star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. "Ever since the Mavs traded Luka, I've been a little bummed watching the NBA. Hurts a little bit still," he said. "We'll have to regroup and get ready for next season for the Mavs."

2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont: Everything you need to know
2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont: Everything you need to know

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont: Everything you need to know

The 125th U.S. Open Championship is set to take place at Oakmont Country Club from June 12-15, 2025. Golf's top players will compete on the notoriously difficult course. Key contenders include Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau. Comprehensive broadcast coverage will be available on NBC, USA Network, and streaming platforms. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tournament Overview Dates: June 12–15, 2025 Venue: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pennsylvania Format: 72-hole stroke play Field: 156 golfers, cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes Significance: 125th edition of the U.S. Open, one of golf's four major Key Players to Watch Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1, who has been in sensational form this season. Scheffler recently won the PGA Championship and is aiming for his third major title this year, a feat that would place him among the game's all-time greats. Rory McIlroy, World No. 2, who completed his career Grand Slam earlier this year at the Masters. McIlroy has three wins this season and is hungry to add a sixth major to his resume. Bryson DeChambeau, the defending U.S. Open champion and two-time winner of this major, is eager to defend his title on this notoriously difficult course. How to watch Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads On Thursday, USA Network will provide exclusive television coverage throughout the day, with Peacock streaming late-round coverage and featured groups. Friday will see NBC take over with main coverage, while Peacock continues streaming featured groups and late coverage. During the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), NBC will deliver the primary broadcast coverage, with USA Network providing early coverage on both days. Peacock will stream featured groups and additional content throughout the weekend. Storylines to Follow Scottie Scheffler's quest for a third major this season could cement his status as golf's dominant player. Rory McIlroy's pursuit of a sixth major title would tie him with Phil Mickelson, adding historical significance. Bryson DeChambeau's title defense on a course that has challenged even the best. Phil Mickelson's potential farewell to the U.S. Open stage, as he chases the elusive career Grand Slam one last time. The 125th U.S. Open Championship is underway from June 12 to June 15, 2025, at the iconic Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. This major golf championship brings together the world's top players for one of the sport's most grueling and prestigious Country Club is widely regarded as one of the toughest courses in the world, famous for its lightning-fast greens, punishing rough, and demanding layout. For the 2025 U.S. Open , Oakmont is set up as a par 70 course stretching 7,342 yards. The course features long par 4s, a challenging 632-yard par 5, and several short but tricky par 3s. The rough is notoriously thick and penal, making accuracy off the tee and precision on approach shots critical for field is stacked with elite talent, including:Other notable contenders include Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas. Additionally, Phil Mickelson, a six-time U.S. Open runner-up, may be making his final appearance at this championship, adding an emotional storyline to the 2025 U.S. Open will feature the most comprehensive broadcast coverage in the tournament's history. NBC and USA Network are the official broadcasters, offering nearly 300 hours of those who prefer streaming, the official U.S. Open website and the USGA app will offer live streams, featured group coverage, and highlights, ensuring fans can follow the action from compelling narratives are shaping this year's U.S. Open:The 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont promises to be a thrilling and historic event. With a challenging course, a star-studded field, and unparalleled broadcast coverage, golf enthusiasts are in for an unforgettable four days of world-class competition. Whether you're watching on TV or streaming online, this championship is not to be missed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store