FRENCH OPEN: Alcaraz takes French Open title after beating Zverev in five-set thriller

Alcaraz claimed his third Grand Slam title – he won the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon in 2023, 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in a game that swung back and forth between repeatedly.

Speaking after the epic Roland Garros encounter a delighted Alcaraz said: “I used to watch the tournament on television and I’m now lifting the title.

“Every Slam has different things, but this one, it’s very special for all the Spanish players, Spanish people.

“We’ve watched not only Rafa Nadal, but a lot of great Spanish players won this tournament.

“For me, it’s really special to lift the trophy, because when I finished school, I’d run home to put the TV on to watch Rafa, to watch this tournament, to watch all the matches. For me, it’s unbelievable to be able to lift this trophy today.

“I have to say thank you to all the Spanish people who supported me today, during the whole tournament. It’s great to have Rafa … who won 14 times here, to say congratulations to you. He’s been my idol since I started playing tennis, so it’s something great. But all the Spanish people, it’s been unbelievable support, and this trophy is for them as well,” he said.

Beaten finalist Zverev paid tribute to Alcaraz, saying: “I feel like I did everything I could.

“Carlos played fantastic. He played better than me in the fourth and fifth set. It’s how it is,” he said.