Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that he still does not quite know how he managed to win that French Open final, over a week after its conclusion.
After all, it was one of the most extraordinary matches in recent memory, as the 22-year-old came from two sets to love down to win in a fifth-set tiebreak.
Both players had chances to claim the title before that grandstand finish, but faltered, as Jannik Sinner blew three Championship points to boost his opponent to victory.
Carlos Alcaraz, now reacting to it on his return to Queen’s, has revealed what everyone has been telling him about the clash.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts to his French Open title
Speaking to the press, much of the coverage was actually about his post-tournament endeavours, as his trip to Ibiza has, oddly, gathered so much attention.
It took almost half the interview before an actual tennis question was asked, as one reporter implored him to compare his two French Open titles and see which he preferred.
Naturally, Alcaraz struggled, stating: ‘Well, I don’t know it was different, different situations.
‘Last year was the first one. The first one is always there. It’s always special, it’s gonna be always in your heart. And yeah, this one, the second one, I mean, a lot of people told me that it was the best final they had ever seen.
‘And for me, these are big words, you know, that I’m receiving. So it’s great.
‘So both are really special, so I can’t choose which one is [the most special], the first one or the second one. So I’m going to put, you know, both in the first spot.’
Jack Draper has reacted to the Roland Garros final too, revealing how most of the ATP tour felt whilst watching the match.
Carlos Alcaraz on the verge of making history at Wimbledon
Alcaraz has now successfully defended his French Open title at the first time of asking, making him a two-time champion at the event.
Interestingly, he has already defended his Wimbledon title before too, and will be hoping that this year he can make it three in a row at the All-England Club.
What makes this year’s iteration of the event so special for the Spaniard is the history he serves to make, as it marks the second year where he has a chance to win the coveted Roland Garros-Wimbledon double, a feat very few in the sport have ever achieved.
However, with one title defence complete, he is now one Wimbledon title away from doing what only one other man has ever accomplished before: defending both crowns in back-to-back years.
The only other player to have managed this was the legendary Bjorn Borg, so Alcaraz could put himself alongside some legendary company should he maintain his blistering grass-court form in SW19.
