French Open LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev result and reaction from five-set thriller in men’s final

Even as Carlos Alcaraz walked onto Court Philippe-Chatrier as a two-time grand slam champion, the 21-year-old felt the pressure of a childhood dream that was suddenly within reach in his first French Open final. Every June, back when he was a boy in Murcia, Alcaraz raced home from school to watch Rafael Nadal win title after title at Roland Garros, following the footsteps of Spanish champions such as his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, as well as Carlos Moya and Albert Costa.

Now, as the young Alcaraz’s ascension continues, he is walking in the footsteps of legends after joining that illustrious list of Spanish winners in Paris. In a thrilling, end-to-end final, Alcaraz battled from two sets to one down to defeat the fourth seed Alexander Zverev, 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2, in four hours and 19 minutes. Zverev sensed his first grand slam was close and assumed control at several stages of a breathless battle but no one manages to escape quite like Alcaraz. No one defies defeat quite like he does, either.

Against the German’s thumping serve and restored belief, Alcaraz was down but never beaten: just as he did in his semi-final victory over Jannik Sinner, he hauled himself from behind to win the fourth and fifth. He improved his staggering five-set record to played 13, won 12, all while battling cramp on his right thigh. Closing in on a first grand slam title, Zverev left Alcaraz a narrow window: Alcaraz found it with a sublime forehand winner that curled brilliantly onto the line. The final turned from there.

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Mats Wilander, the three-time French Open winner and seven-time grand slam champion, tells Eurosport that this will be Carlos Alcaraz’s “most important” grand slam title.

“I think this will easily be the most important grand slam that he has won so far. At the US Open it was all unexpected, at Wimbledon he was playing for everything to win and nothing to lose against the greatest player in our game in Novak Djokovic. I don’t think anyone thought he would win against Djokovic.

“Here, he wins from two sets to one down and he wins easily in the fourth and fifth. This is proof he is not just a great player but he loves to suffer. This is going to be a milestone in his career.”

Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, congratulates its new winner.

“Congratulations @carlosalcaraz for this immense victory!!!! Big!!!! Very happy for your successes!!! #Vamos”.

The winning moment!

Carlos Alcaraz speaking to Eurosport.

“It was a great journey the last two weeks, since the first match. This tournament I wanted to win since five, six years old. It’s great for me, a team come true. I’ll enjoy it with my team.

“When I finished the third I had a lot of doubts, I’m not going to lie. I thought my shots didn’t trouble Sacha. He was dominating with his serve and it was difficult for me. With the nerves, I didn’t play my best tennis, but it’s the final of a grand slam! It was the time to find solutions, to give everything, and of course in the fourth set getting to 4-0 helped me out a lot.

“[The conditions] were difficult. Sacha was playing great tennis, he put a lot of pressure on his serves and he got a lot of returns in. I had to save a lot of break points. The fifth set was 6-2 but I could have lost the fifth set, it was close. It was tricky with the wind, the sun. We know we have to win a way and adapt. I’m really happy to do it today.

“Another tattoo, yes, it’ll be soon!”

Three finals, three surfaces, three grand slam titles!

Carlos Alcaraz is incredible.

More from Alcaraz: “I have loved to have part of my family here. My Mum, my Dad, my Brother, I have loved having you here. All of the support you have given to me since being a little kid. I used to watch this tournament on the TV and now I’m holding the trophy so thank you very much.

“Everyone is a really important part to making this tournament special. It’s not easy to do that, we complain a lot, but you all do a great job. Thank you to everyone.

“The crowd have been great since the first match until today. The support has been unbelievable in the matches and practice. I’ll see you soon, for sure. Thank you.”

Here’s Carlos Alcaraz speaking after winning the French Open for the first time: “Hello everyone. First of all, I want to congratulate Sascha for a great tournament.

“Unbelievable the level you are playing and the work you are putting in every day. Everything you have been through the last years in this court. I’m pretty sure you will win Slams and this tournament very, very soon so keep going and congratulations.

“My team have been incredible the last month. We were struggling a lot with the injury. Coming back from Madrid, I didn’t feel well. Coming here and not practicing too much on the court. I’m grateful to have the team that I have. I know everyone in my team is giving their heart to help me improve. I call this a team but it’s a family.”

More from Zverev who said: “To my team as well, thank you for not only last the two weeks but the long journey we had since the injury I had on this same court. We were close today, not enough but hopefully one day we will be able to hold this trophy together so thank you.

“Then I would like to thank everyone who makes this tournament possible every year. Amelie [Mauresmo], one of the best tournament directors we have. You do everything for the players. I know it’s tough because we complain a lot but you’re doing the best you can, we really appreciate it so thankyou for the job you’re doing.

“It’s been amazing - the atmosphere, the support has been amazing. I really love to play on this beautiful court, one of my favourite courts on the tour.

“I’ll be back next year.”