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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
French Open Approves Carlos Alcaraz Nickname After Grand Slam Win
French Open Approves Carlos Alcaraz Nickname After Grand Slam Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Rafael Nadal earned the title "King of Clay" due to his dominance on the clay court throughout his 23-year tennis career. Now, it looks like his heir apparent is here, with the French Open even approving it. Advertisement Making it even better, it's a fellow Spaniard in World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. After Alcaraz beat World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set showdown that lasted five hours and 29 minutes — the longest Roland-Garros final in history — the French Open celebrated the 22-year-old tennis sensation with a powerful message on social media. "CARLOS II, PRINCE OF CLAY," the French Open wrote, approving the popular nickname that fans have called Alcaraz for some time now due to his clay-court brilliance reminiscent of Nadal's heydays. Carlos Alacaraz's latest win marks his second French Open title after claiming the clay Grand Slam in 2024, so he definitely has the credentials to be called the "Prince of Clay." Advertisement It's also worth noting that Alcaraz made history during the 2025 French Open by becoming the second-fastest player to reach 20 wins at Roland-Garros over the last 25 years. Interestingly, Rafael Nadal is the only player who did it better than Alcaraz during that span. Sure enough, it will be quite difficult for Alcaraz — or anyone for that matter — to match or surpass what Rafael Nadal did at the French Open. Fourteen titles and a 112-4 record in the Grand Slam competition is no easy feat. However, there's no denying that Alcaraz is on the right track. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the French Open trophy after winning the final against Jannik Mullane-Imagn Images When Nadal won his fifth career Grand Slam title, he was 22 years, one month and three days old. Alcaraz, for his part, turned 22 years, one month and three days old when he won the French Open on Sunday for his fifth Grand Slam title. Advertisement Related: Carlos Alcaraz is Turning Heads After French Open Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Carlos Alcaraz saves three match points to stop Jannik Sinner and retain French Open
Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, holds the trophy after winning the men's singles final match against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 8, 2025. Photo: AFP / Julien de Rosa Carlos Alcaraz fought back from the brink to outlast top seed Jannik Sinner 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2) in a French Open final for the ages on Sunday (French time) to retain his crown and cement his status as the Prince of Clay in Roland Garros' post-Rafa Nadal era. In a scintillating showdown between the torch-bearers of a new generation, the 22-year-old Alcaraz saved three match points in the fourth set to continue his dominance over Sinner with a fifth successive win and end the Italian's 20-match winning streak at the majors. The duo, who have captured seven of the last eight Grand Slams to stamp their authority on the tour, were locked in a fierce battle in the first major final between two men born in the 2000s. Alcaraz showed his steely determination to win the epic in five hours and 29 minutes - the longest ever final at Roland Garros. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the 2025 French Open. Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP Sinner held serve in a tense five-deuce opening game lasting 12 minutes, but was broken when he fired a forehand wide, before hitting back from 2-3 and going on to snatch an intense first set following an unforced error by Alcaraz. Relentless pressure from the baseline allowed Sinner to go a break up early in the second set and the top seed began to apply the squeeze on Alcaraz, who was on the ropes trailing 1-4 on a sunbathed Court Philippe Chatrier. An aggressive Alcaraz came out fighting and drew loud cheers when he drew level after 10 games and then forced a tiebreak but Sinner edged ahead with a blistering forehand winner and doubled his lead after the clock ticked past two hours. Alcaraz, who had never come back from two sets down, battled hard in the hope of avoiding his first loss in a major final and pulled a set back before bravely saving three match points at 3-5 down in the fourth set, later restoring parity via the tiebreak. He traded breaks in the decider but prevailed in the super tiebreak to win the longest Paris men's final since tennis went professional in 1968 while Sinner had to digest a missed chance to add to his US and Australian Open wins after a doping case. -Reuters
