Alcaraz chases third Grand Slam title in French Open remaining towards Zverev | EUROtoday

Issued on: 08/06/2024 – 12:41

4 min

The 21-year-old defeated Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon final yr and likewise lifted the US Open trophy as a teen in 2022.

Alcaraz downed incoming world primary Jannik Sinner in 5 units within the semi-finals and can be a slight favorite towards Zverev, who continues to be but to win a Grand Slam event.

He is aiming to emulate his childhood hero and 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal — who received his first French Open when Alcaraz was solely two years outdated — by lifting the trophy, in addition to his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

“I have a special feeling at this tournament, because I remember when I finish school I’m running to my home just to put the TV on and watch the matches here in the French Open,” Alcaraz stated.

“I watched a lot of matches. Of course Rafa Nadal dominating this tournament for, let’s say, 14, 15 years. It’s something unbelievable.

“I wished to place my identify on that checklist of the Spanish gamers who received this event. Not solely Rafa. Ferrero, (Carlos) Moya, (Albert) Costa, lots of Spanish gamers, legends from our sport that received this event.

“I really want to put my name on that list, as well.”

Alcaraz has been broadly tipped as one of many successors to the reigns of Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer on the high of males’s tennis since he broke onto the scene as a teen.

He is comfortably dwelling as much as that mantle.

Sunday will see the primary new winner of the title since Djokovic in 2016, and will probably be the primary showpiece match in Paris with two first-time finalists since Nadal received his maiden crown towards Mariano Puerta in 2005.

Alcaraz has received each of his earlier Slam finals — yet another and he would be the youngest man to win main occasions on clay, grass and exhausting courts.

Victory over Zverev would go away the Spanish sensation heading to the Australian Open subsequent yr with the prospect to finish the profession Grand Slam at a youthful age than Federer was when he received his first Slam occasion.

“I always wanted to be one of the best players in the world,” he stated.

“If I want to be one of the best players in the world, I have to be a good player in every surface, like Roger did, Novak, Rafa, (Andy) Murray. The best players in the world had success in every surface.

“So I take into account myself a participant who adapts very effectively his fashion in each floor. And, effectively, I grew up taking part in on clay however I really feel extra comfy taking part in on exhausting courtroom, for instance.

“I think my game suits very well to the clay, to clay season, to the clay court, as well.”

Zverev hoping to finish years of harm

Zverev was as soon as thought to be the most important risk to the dominance of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer, however is now 27 and nonetheless chasing a maiden Grand Slam title.

The world quantity 4 is into his first main remaining since an agonising defeat by Dominic Thiem on the 2020 US Open, when he led by two units and a break earlier than falling aside.

“I was not ready then to win my first Grand Slam final,” stated Zverev, who has additionally misplaced in six Slam semi-finals.

“I’m definitely not a kid any more, I’m a little older. If not now, then when?”

The German arrived on the event beneath the cloud of a courtroom case in Berlin over allegations he assaulted an ex-girlfriend.

The case was dropped after a settlement was agreed hours earlier than his semi-final win over Casper Ruud, who was scuffling with sickness.

He was accused of “briefly” choking former companion Brenda Patea “with both hands” in May 2020, in keeping with the courtroom.

As a part of the settlement, Zverev had agreed to pay 200,000 euros ($217,000), with most of it going into state coffers and the rest to a fund for charitable organisations, a courtroom spokeswoman stated.

He reacted angrily when requested by a reporter if he was upset the case was dropped and he couldn’t clear his identify in courtroom.

“They’re not going to drop the case if you’re guilty at the end of the day. I don’t know what translations you have, but that’s what it means. Done,” Zverev, who had already been fined 450,000 euros in the identical case, retorted.

“We move on. I never ever want to hear another question about the subject again. That goes out to everybody.”

Zverev may have excessive hopes of constructing headlines with a Grand Slam title — he holds a 5-4 successful file over Alcaraz heading into Sunday’s intriguing remaining.

(AFP)