article_detail

After winning the Mutua Madrid Open 2022 just over three weeks ago, the rising star of Spanish tennis Carlos Alcaraz, who was born and raised in El Palmar, Murcia, lost in the quarter finals of Roland Garros in Paris yesterday.

 

He was beaten three sets to one (6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 in 3 hours and 18 minutes) by Alexander Zverev, the opponent he defeated in the Madrid final last month to win the championship.

 

The player from Murcia, who suffered just his fourth defeat of this season, left the French court to a standing ovation yesterday afternoon. He had been on the verge of forcing a fifth set after losing the first two with many unforced errors (16 in the first set), but in the end the German Zverev, world number 3 and one of the greatest servers on the circuit from his two-metre high vantage point, prevailed.

 

Alcaraz is ranked number 6 in the world, and said he did not feel the pressure of being one of the favourites to win the tournament: “I didn't think at any time that I was the favourite. I have the skills and the level to be able to win.”

 

He continued, “Despite the defeat I still think I can win a Grand Slam.”

 

The young Spaniard, just 19 years old, thanked the support he has received from the public since his arrival at the tournament: “I have felt very loved by all the people, many Spaniards, but also by the French people. I couldn’t ask for better support in Paris. From the first match I’ve had all the affection and the more I progressed the more affection I got. I hope to come back and feel at home.”

 

In the other men’s singles quarter final yesterday, Rafa Nadal beat his old rival Novak Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to reach the semi-finals. Nadal is going for his 14th Roland Garros title, and will next face Alexander Zverev on Friday June 3.

 

Image: Carlos Alcaraz/Twitter