Carlos Alcaraz showcased his vibrant personality and skill at the French Open as he successfully defended his title against Hungarian player Fabian Marozsan. The young Spaniard, aiming to be the first man to retain the Roland Garros crown since Rafael Nadal in 2020, secured a victory with a scoreline of 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
With Paris St Germain players Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Ramos watching from the stands ahead of their Champions League final, Alcaraz entertained the crowd with some light-hearted moments, including keep-upping a ball for the young ball kids. “Sometimes it is difficult to have fun on the court when you’re suffering out there,” he remarked, highlighting the balance between competitiveness and enjoyment in the sport.
The match commenced strongly for Alcaraz, who dominated the first set in just 28 minutes, showcasing his precision and agility, including a brilliant backhand volley executed while sliding across the court. However, Marozsan managed to break Alcaraz’s rhythm in the second set, leveling the match briefly before the Spaniard recovered fiercely in the third set.
Alcaraz’s victory marks his ninth consecutive win at the French Open, reflecting his continuous ascent in the tournament and solid positioning for the upcoming rounds. Notably, the tournament also saw some surprises, including the unexpected exit of two-time runner-up Casper Ruud, whose performance was hampered by fitness struggles.
In the women’s category, the competition remains intense with last year’s runner-up Jasmine Paolini advancing decisively and young prospect Victoria Mboko setting up a promised showdown against eighth seed Qinwen Zheng, who recently enjoyed an Olympic singles gold victory.
The enthusiasm and spirit exhibited by players like Alcaraz and Mboko injects a sense of excitement into the tournament, offering a hopeful outlook as they continue their pursuit of greatness on one of tennis’ biggest stages.