French Open 2024 Final Highlights: Carlos Alcaraz wins men’s singles title after beating Alexander Zverev in five sets

The runner-up Alexander Zverev make his way up the podium to receive his trophy. He takes the mic and addresses the crowd.

“Congratulations Carlos (Alcaraz). Winning three different slams on three different courts at 21 years old is amazing. You are already a hall of famer and this is not going to be your final trophy at this court,” Zverev said.

“The atmosphere has been amazing and this is one of my favourite courts on the tour and I’ll be back next year,” he concluded.

Carlos Alcaraz steps up now and receives the Coupe des Mousquetaires (The French Open trophy) from Swedish tennis legend Björn Borg. The Spanish national anthem is played.

Alcaraz takes the mic now and speaks to the crowd.

“First of all I want to congratulate Sasha (Zverev). I know about everything you have been through over the past year and I know how much of a warrior you are. I wish you all the best for the future,” he said.

“I want to thank my team who has been a big part of this journey. I know we say we are a team but we are one family,” Alcaraz said.

“The crowd has been great since the first match. Not only in the matches but also in the practice sessions as well. You guys made me feel right at home. I will see you all soon,” concluded Alcaraz.

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French Open 2024: Alcaraz beats Zverev in five-set thriller, wins maiden Roland Garros title

Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in a thrilling French Open final to win his maiden Roland Garros title in Paris on Sunday.

Alcaraz is serving for the Championship now. He wins the first point with a strong backhand across the court, which Zverev returns to the net.

Alcaraz takes a 40-15 lead after Zverev hits a shot out of the court.

Two Championship points for Alcaraz.

And he does it. He hits a forehand shot across the court which Zverev could only return as far as the net. Alcaraz falls to the ground in elation.

Carlos Alcaraz is the French Open 2024 Men’s Singles Champion.

Point for Alcaraz as he steps up the court to send a forehand down the line.

Another strong forehand from Alcaraz forces Zverev to hit his shot way out of the court. Alcaraz leads 30-0. 

Three break points for Alcaraz as he sends a cross-court backhand from a tight angle, past Zverev who was looming near the net.

And he does it. He completes the double break with a forehand down the line. 

Alcaraz sends a powerful serve and sets himself up for a volley near the net. However, he hits the next point wide to make it 15-15.

Alcaraz hits a volley near the net and sends Zverev the wrong way to make it 30-30.

He follows it up with a beautiful forehand shot down the line to make it 40-30. He cannot seal the game as his backhand slice goes only as far as the net. Deuce.

Advantage and break point for Zverev as he volleys the ball near the net. 

Alcaraz holds onto his serve and makes it deuce again.

The Spaniard sends Zverev the wrong way with his cross-court forehand and takes advantage in the game.

Once again Alcaraz cannot finish the game and hits the ball out.

Zverev seems unhappy after hitting the net after he seemingly saw Alcaraz stop playing while reacting to a ball going out. The umpire and Alcaraz say no and the Spaniard gets the advantage.

This time he finishes the game off as Zverev smashes the ball into the net.

Zverev takes a 0-30 lead after Alcaraz hits the net two times. 

Zverev is one point away from clinching the game after Alcaraz’s backhand goes out. Alcaraz makes it 30-40 after forcing Zverev to send his forehand out of the court.

Zverev approaches the net after his serve and hits an easy volley wide to make it deuce.

Alcaraz takes advantage and gets another break point in the set after curling the ball past his opponent who was situated near the net.

Zverev holds on and sends the ball down an acute angle to make it deuce.

The German takes advantage in the game after Alcaraz hits his shot out. He seals the game after anticipating Alcaraz ‘s drop shot well to send it back across the court.

Alcaraz with two unforced errors to give Zverev a 0-30 lead. 

Zverev gets three break points after Alcaraz cannot keep his simple lob inside the court after a challenging rally.

Alcaraz gets one point back after sending Zverev the wrong way.

Alcaraz hits a second serve and it goes out. He asks the umpire to check and the decision is reversed. Zverev is visibly frustrated and argues with the umpire.

Alcaraz fights back from three break points down with a fine cross-court forehand to make it deuce.

Zverev toys with Alcaraz at the net with four volleys before taking advantage in the game. Another break point for the German.

Alacaraz reinstates the deuce with a powerful serve which Zverev hits back to the net.

Alcaraz takes the advantage after sending a backhand down the line.

He holds his serve with a beautiful slice which Zverev cannot get to.

Zverev takes the ball out of the air near the net to volley it past Alcaraz, but it ends up going out. The German tries the same once again but this time volleys the ball into the net to make it 0-30.

Three break points for Alcaraz. And he does it. Alcaraz takes advantage in the final set after Zverev hits the ball out.

Alcaraz begins with a strong forehand away from Zverev.

The Spaniard takes a 40-15 lead in the second game. He cannot close out the game as he hits the net after a long rally.

Alcaraz takes the game after Zverev returns the Spaniard’s powerful serve into the net.

Zverev starts off with a powerful backhand down the line.

He commits a double fault to bring the scores to 15-30.

The German sets himself up for a volley at the net and seals the first game of the decider. 

Carlos Alcaraz: 10-1

Alexander Zverev: 22-10

Alcaraz is serving for the set. Zverev takes the first point after Alcaraz hits the ball out while trying a forehand down the line. 

Zverev comes up the court to hit a backhand volley to make it 0-30.

Zverev gets two break points after Alcaraz smashes the ball into the net. 

Alcaraz holds on and forces Zverev to make errors and makes it deuce. Zverev takes advantage and has a break point.

Alcaraz with a powerful forehand to bring it back to deuce.

The Spaniard hits an ace to reach set point. He seals the set after Zverev’s slice does not make it past the net. We are going into the fifth set.

Alcaraz is taking a medical timeout to get attention on his left hamstring. Match resume. Zverev concedes the first point after hitting a forehand out. 

Alcaraz reaches break point after stretching to lob the ball behind Zverev who hit the ball out on the return.

Zverev holds on to force a deuce. The German takes advantage after a powerful serve which set him up for a volley near the net. 

Back to deuce after Zverev’s backhand lands out of the court.

Alcaraz gets the breakpoint once again. He breaks after Zverev hits the ball into the net.

Alcaraz’s backhand return goes out as the scores draw level at 15-15. He hits a forehand out this time to give Zverev the lead.

Zverev gets two breaks now after hitting a powerful backhand down the line. 

Zverev breaks after hitting a cross-court shot from near the net.

Zverev starts the game with a double fault. Alcaraz hits an easy backhand out to draw the scores level at 15-15.

He redeems himself by hitting the ball cleanly past Zverev who was trying to put pressure on the Spaniard by coming close to the net.

Zverev hits a double fault to give Alcaraz the breakpoint. Alacarz hits a backhand slice to break Zverev and take a 4-0 lead in the fourth set.

Alcaraz seals the game without dropping a single point. He leads the set 3-0.

Zverev makes it 15-15 after a long rally. He waited for his opportunity and hit a volley near the net to draw level.

The German got a similar chance again but misjudged and chose to leave the ball which bounced inside the court in the end. 30-15 to Alcaraz. 

Zverev hits a shot across the court and a late call comes for fault. He asks for a referral and the umpire says out. Two break points for Alcaraz.

Alcaraz gets the early break after curling a shot past Zverev who was close to the net.

Zverev shows visible frustration after hitting the ball out to make it 15-15. Alcaraz gets the next point after attacking the net early.

Alcaraz seals the first game of the fourth set after Zverev hits the ball wide.

Zverev is serving for the set. Zverev takes the first point after attacking the net to meet Alcaraz’s serve return.

Alcaraz responds with two strong points to draw level at 30-30.

Zverev reaches the set point with a slider ace.

The German hits the ball out after a hard rally to make it deuce. Alcaraz does not bother about Zverev’s presence at the net and hits the ball past the German to take advantage and break point.

Alcaraz hits a serve return out to make it deuce again. Zverev takes advantage and reaches set point after smashing a volley close to the net.

Zverev grinds his way to win the third set after making Alcaraz scurry across the court.

Alcaraz with a good drop shot to draw the scores level at 15-15. Zverev responds with a drop shot himself. Alcaraz got there but could not keep the ball inside the court.

Zverev has two break points as Alcaraz mistimes his shot and hits the ball way out of the court. Zverev break after Alcaraz hits his backhand into the net.

Alcaraz mistimes his shot and hits the ball way into the crowd to give Zverev a 0-30 lead.

The German seals the game with an ace to get back on level terms.

Alcaraz is serving for the set. Alcaraz commits two errors to give Zverev a 30-0 lead.

Alcaraz gets back on level terms after Zverev hits the ball out. Zverev is on break point. He breaks back after Alcaraz cannot reach a powerful forehand from the German.

Alcaraz lobs the ball away from Zverev to make it 15-15 in the game. The Spaniard takes the lead after Zverev smashes Alcaraz’s return into the net. Alcaraz returns the favour by smashing the serve return into the net himself. 

Zverev seals the game with an ace.

Alcazraz takes a 30-0 lead with a couple of solid forehands. Alcaraz tries to hit a lob from Zverev on the turn. But ends up smashing the ball into the net instead.

He hits a backhand out of the court to make it 30-30. Zverev anticipates a drop shot from Alcaraz and takes the lead in the game. Break point for Zverev.

Zverev mishits the ball way out of the court to make it deuce in the game. Alcaraz hits a double fault to give Zverev the advantage.

Alacarz denies Zverev the break with a volley near the net. Deuce again.

He cannot keep his forehand inside the court as Zverev has a third break point in the game. Alcaraz saves a third break point with a good shot near the net. He follows it up with a volley to take the advantage.

Alcaraz hold his serve to take the game as Zverev smashes the ball into the net.

Alcaraz with a powerful volley across the court to take a 30-0 lead. He puts Zverev off balance with a brilliant backhand and gets three break points.

He breaks Zverev’s serve after the German hits a backhand out of the court.

Alcaraz tries to put pressure on the German by attacking the net. Zverev does well to hit the ball past the Spaniard to get the first point of the game.

Alcaraz hits another drop shot. Zverev catches up to the ball but cannot get his bat on the return from Alcaraz.

Deuce in the game as Zverev attacks Alcaraz with powerful forehands near the net. Alcaraz holds his serve with a couple of beautiful shots near the net.

Zverev begins the game with a powerful volley away from Alcaraz. He follows it up with an inch-perfect backhand down the line.

He wraps up the game with an ace down the middle.

Another double fault by Alcaraz as the scores are level at 15-15. He hits powerful and unreturnable serve to reach game point.

He seals the game with a strong forehand down the line. 

Zverev takes a 0-30 lead after forcing Alcaraz to hit the ball out while trying to return a powerful long forehand. 

He seals the game with a fantastic defence against Alcaraz’s shots.

Zverev hits an off backhand to make it 15-15 in the first game of the third set.

He hits a double fault to help Zverev draw closer but redeems himself with a beautiful drop shot to seal the game.

Zverev is serving to win the set. Alcaraz mis-hits the ball and looks back to his team in frustration. 

Zverev hits a powerful serve down the middle to take a 0-30 lead. Another ace to make it three set points.

He seals the set with a volley near the net.

Alcaraz takes a 30-15 lead after Zverev send the ball out of the court while trying to return a serve.

First ace from Alcaraz to make it 40-15. Zverev hits a beautiful forehand down the line to make it 40-30.

Impressive from the German who keeps going up a gear and making it deuce. Zverev takes the advantage and the breakpoint once again.

Alcaraz saves the break point with a volley down the middle near the net. Zverev mishits the ball but nevertheless gets the point to take advantage.

Alcaraz with a double fault to give Zverev a double break.

Zverev with a beautiful cross-court volley near the net to make it 15-15. Alcaraz comes out on top of a long rally with a shot across the court from near the net.

Zverev responds with a powerful serve which Alcaraz is unable to return. Alcaraz holds on to make it deuce.

A moment of brilliance from both players. Alcaraz touches the ball across the court near the net and Zverev responds with an even better crosscourt return to take the advantage. He holds his serve to take a two-game lead in the second set.

Another error from Alcaraz as he hits a volley straight into the middle of the net. Zverev takes a 0-30 lead after Alcaraz commits another error with his backhand shot.

He redeems himself with a beautiful forehand drop shot which Zverev could not get to in time.

Zverev gets two break points after Alcaraz commits yet another unforced error. He breaks after Alcaraz’s mistimes his forehand shot. 

Zverev attacks the net to take the first two points of the game. 

He seals the game after Alcaraz hits an easy backhand into the net.

Alcaraz with a long forehand across the court to take the lead in the game.

Alcaraz comes out on top of a long rally with a strong forehand down the line to take a 40-15 lead.

He seals the game with a powerful serve which Zverev returns to the net. 

Two forced errors from Alcaraz gives Zverev a 0-30 lead. Zverev looks to his team in frustration after he hits a forehand out of the court.

Alcaraz forces a couple more forehand errors from Zverev to bring it to deuce. Zverev takes advantage and finishes the game with a volley near the net.

Alcaraz begins the second set with a few impressive shots to take a 40-0 lead. Two errors brings Zverev back into the game and brings it to deuce.

Zverev attacks the net and forces Alcaraz to hit his lob out of the court. Break point for Zverev. Alcaraz save the break with a powerful serve which Zverev returns to the net.

Alcaraz takes advantage after Zverev hits a backhand out of the court. Deuce again. Alcaraz with another good serve to take the advantage.

Zverev is holding on as Alcaraz cannot touch the ball over the net to make it deuce. Alcaraz misjudged the ball thinking it was going out and gives Zverev another break point.

Alcaraz steps up to the net to save another break point. However, he follows it up with a double fault to give Zverev another break point.

He saves it again as Zverev hits a serve return out of the court. He takes advantage with a good leave this time.

Alcaraz hits a cross-court back hand to hold his serve in the first game of the second set.

Carlos Alcaraz has a win-loss record (Matches - Main draw on ATP Tour, Slams & Davis Cup) of 60-3 on clay after winning the first set.

The times he has lost:

2022 Umag (ATP 250) Final vs Sinner

2023 Rio (ATP 500) Final vs Norrie 

2024 Madrid Masters QF vs Rublev

Alcaraz with the first point after a strong backhand down the line which forces Zverev to hit the net with his stretched return.

The Spaniard moves up the court to pressure the German and it works as Zverev smashes the ball into the net to make it 30-15.

Set and break point for Alcaraz as Zverev sends a forehand wide. He seals the first set with a vol;ey across the court.

Alcaraz tries another drop shot but Zverev anticipates it well this time to make it 15-15.

The Spaniard attacks the net this time and plays a drop shot near the net. He takes the lead with a stretched volley across the court. He seals the game after Zverev’s return bounces off the net and goes out.

Zverev with an error to start his serve. Alcaraz with a beautiful drop shot to take a 30-0 lead. Zverev had a lot of ground to make up.

Zverev responds with a powerful forehand down the line. The German seems visibly flustered as he hits out a backhand return from Alcaraz. Two break points for Alcaraz.

A flurry of brilliant shots from Alcaraz goes to waste as Zverev hold on to make it deuce. Zverev takes the advantage with an ace. He takes the game as Alcaraz’s backhand goes out.

Alcaraz is back a break in front. He hits a powerful forehand down the line to take the lead.

Alcaraz holds his serve to take a two-game lead in the first set.

Alcaraz returns the second serve with power and forces Zverev to mistime his shot. Alcaraz takes a 30-0 lead. 

Three break points for Alcaraz. He digs deep to deal with Zverev’s pressing and forces the German to hit the net with his backhand. He breaks Zverev for the second time.

Zverev with a long return as Alcaraz scurries across the court to hit the ball, only for it to go out. 30-15.

Alcaraz responds with a couple of great points, showing agility to cut the ball across the court to win the game.

Alcaraz cannot find a way to keep his serve returns inside the court as Zverev goes up 0-30. 

Zverev hits the net with a return to make it 15-40. Alcaraz returns the favour to give Zverev the game.

Alcaraz with a double fault to give Zverev a 0-30 lead in the second game. A good rally between the two ends with Zverev attacking the net, but he lacks the finishing touch.

Zverev quickly pounces on a drop shot from Alcaraz to set himself up with two break points. He breaks back to make it level in the first set.

Carlos Alcaraz wins the toss and chooses the side, Alexander Zverev to serve first. He starts with a double fault. Another double fault for the German and he is changing his racket. He comes back with a strong serve down the middle to make it 30-15.

A deuce in the first game. Alcaraz takes the advantage with a brilliant cross-court slice. Break point for Alcaraz. And he breaks Zverev in the first game with a powerful forehand down the line.

The players are making their way into Court Philippe-Chatrier. Alexander Zverev enters first followed by Carlos Alcaraz. 

He is aiming to become the first German man to capture the Roland Garros title in the Open era.

He is looking to be the third German men’s singles Grand Slam champion in Open Era, joining Boris Becker (6) and Michael Stich (1).

He is aiming to become the eighth man to win Rome & Roland Garros in the same year in Open era.

He is aiming to be the first male player to win his first three Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces.

He is looking to become the seventh and youngest man to capture Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces.

He is attempting to be the seventh different Spanish man to lift the Roland Garros title in Open era.

Semifinal: Beat [7] Casper Ruud (NOR) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2

Quarterfinal: Beat [11] Alex De Minaur (AUS) 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-4

Round of 16: Beat [13] Holger Rune (DEN) 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-2

Round of 32: Beat [26] Tallon Griekspoor (NED) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(3)

Round of 64: Beat David Goffin (BEL) 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-2

Round of 128: Beat Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3

Semifinal: Beat [2] Jannik Sinner (ITA) 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

Quarterfinal: Beat [9] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4

Round of 16: Beat [21] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1

Round of 32: Beat [27] Sebastian Korda (USA) 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-3

Round of 64: Beat [Q] Jesper De Jong (NED) 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2

Round of 128: Beat [LL] J.J. Wolf (USA) 6-1, 6-2, 6-1

Played: 9

Alexander Zverev: 5

Carlos Alcaraz: 4

The French Open is set to have a new men’s champion as Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev will compete for the iconic Musketeers Cup at Roland Garros.

The last time the clay Major had a first-time winner was back in 2016 when Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray in the final.Alcaraz came into this tournament with barely any game time on clay due to a forearm injury. Still, the Spaniard did not face many issues in the first five rounds, including a straight-sets win over 2021 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas which extended his head-to-head advantage to 6-0

However, he looked in trouble when reigning Australian Open champion and soon-to-be World No. 1 Jannik Sinner took a two-sets-to-one lead against him in the semifinals. The 21-year-old Spaniard found another gear in the last two sets and completed a memorable comeback to become the youngest man in the Open era to reach Grand Slam finals on all three surfaces. For the third year in a row, he is in a Major final and continues to prove that he is one of the rising stars.

Someone who did show promise at Alcaraz’s age but failed to live up to the expectations is Zverev. The 27-year-old German reached his only Major final four years ago at US Open where he choked against Dominic Thiem after winning the first two sets.

Zverev seemed to be finding another level to his game in 2022 when an unfortunate ankle injury in the French Open semifinals against Rafael Nadal came as a massive set back.

Two years later, things are finally falling in place for the German.

The fourth seeded German entered the tournament after winning the Italian Open and began his campaign by knocking out 14-time champion Nadal in the first round. He even overcame wobbles against Tallon Griekspoor in third and Holger Rune in fourth round to win gruelling five-set battles. 

He also got redemption for last year’s semifinal defeat to Casper Ruud by beating the Norwegian at the same stage this time. All this while, the German also had a trial going on against him as his former girlfriend had accused him of domestic abuse but that case too was closed on Friday with an out-of-court settlement.

Not only has Zverev served well in this edition of the French Open, his backhand has been a strong weapon. Unless Alcaraz and his coach and former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero find a solution to the big game of the German, it is going to be extremely tough for the Spaniards to stop Zverev from opening his Grand Slam account.

French Open 2024 final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev is set to begin around 6PM IST on Sunday, June 9. You can watch the live telecast of the French Open on the Sony Sports Network and stream the matches live on SonyLiv and JioTV