Carlos Alcaraz claimed four ATP titles in 2024. The young Spaniard suffered a couple of tough losses and finished the season ranked 3rd behind Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. However, it was another incredible year for Carlos.
The 21-year-old became a proud owner of a ‘Channel Slam.’ Alcaraz conquered Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season as the youngest player ever, writing history books. Carlos made honest confession about this massive achievement during the local award ceremony.
Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros 2024© Stream screenshot
Underlining his most notable achievements of the season, Alcaraz admitted he always gets emotional while watching Roland Garros and Wimbledon highlights. The Spaniard accomplished one of the most challenging tasks in tennis at such a young age.
He joined the legends after becoming the sixth owner of a ‘Channel Slam’ in the Open era. Carlos followed Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on the exclusive list, which speaks for itself! Alcaraz was a ‘Channel Slam’ contender a year ago.
The young gun reached the semi-final at Roland Garros and conquered Wimbledon in 2023. There was no one to stop him at the European Majors this year, beating 14 rivals and entering the record books.
The moment Carlos Alcaraz won his first Roland-Garros title 🏆🇪🇸#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/a57JqQMJ1O
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2024
Alcaraz claims his first Roland Garros title
Carlos reached his first Roland Garros semi-final a year ago. The 20-year-old battled against Novak Djokovic and cracked under pressure. The Spaniard claimed the second set before fading from the court due to cramps, struggling mentally and physically.
Alcaraz made sure to avoid that situation this year, playing at his best when it mattered the most and lifting a trophy. The 21-year-old defeated three top-30 rivals and reached the last four. He had to climb back from two sets to one down in the semi-final and final.
Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros 2024© Stream screenshot
He achieved that, becoming the first player since 1961 to turn the last two matches in Paris and conquer the title! Carlos faced the soon-to-be world no. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-final. Two young guns push each other to the limits on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Carlos prevailed 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in four hours and nine minutes for a place in the title clash. He fought hard in sets four and five, keeping the energy and overcoming the ATP Race leader. Alcaraz dropped the third set and faced the exit door.
He raised his level and provided 11 consecutive holds, mounting the pressure on the other side. He broke Sinner’s resistance in sets four and five to earn a notable victory and remain on the title course. Both players delivered six breaks.
Carlos Alcaraz & Alexander Zverev, Roland Garros 2024© Stream screenshot
Carlos grabbed his return games in the pivotal moments, prevailing and arranging the title clash against Alexander Zverev. Like Sinner, the German opened a two sets to one advantage, looking good to lift his first Major trophy at 27.
However, Alcaraz had other plans! The young gun stepped in and stormed over his opponent in sets four and five. The 21-year-old produced a 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 triumph in four hours and 19 minutes for his first Roland Garros title.
Thus, Carlos became the youngest player with a Major title on all three surfaces! Alexander gave everything in the opening three sets. He dominated Alcaraz in the second and took five straight games in the third from 2-5 to forge a massive advantage.
With no room for errors, Carlos started to climb back in the fourth set, taking it in style and sealing the deal with a reliable performance in the decider. The Spaniard lost serve six times, mostly in sets two and three. He bounced back and secured 45% of the return points.
Alcaraz turned them into nine breaks from 16 opportunities, crossing the finish line first and celebrating his third Major crown at 21.
The champion, Carlos Alcaraz 👏🏆#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/mKJLAjU9lW
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2024
Carlos defends the Wimbledon crown and achieves ‘Channel Slam’
Alcaraz used that boost and sought his second consecutive Wimbledon title. Defending a Major title is never easy, especially at 21! However, the Spaniard passed all the obstacles and lifted a trophy, earning his fourth Major title and writing history books.
Carlos did not play at his best in the opening week. He barely survived the Frances Tiafoe challenge, keeping his composure and prevailing against the American. The Spaniard lost a set in the fourth round, the quarter-final and semi-final.
Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
However, he wrapped up those duels in four sets, avoiding a decider and more drama. Alcaraz came from a set down in the semi-final against Daniil Medvedev, playing well from the second set and entering his second consecutive Wimbledon final.
Like a year ago, Carlos met the legend Novak Djokovic in the title clash. After a five-setter in 2023, the Spaniard held the strings of the duel in his hands. The young gun defeated the veteran 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in two hours and 27 minutes, celebrating his fourth Major crown and writing history books.
The title defense rolls on 💪
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Daniil Medvedev 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/gPS9G6sDaa
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
Alcaraz overpowered Djokovic in the opening two sets, serving well and delivering four breaks for a massive 6-2, 6-2 lead. The Spaniard faced only three break points, two in the opener. He suffered a break while serving for the title at 5-4 in the third set.
However, the defending champion kept his composure and sealed the deal in the tie break, earning the title and a ‘Channel Slam.’ Djokovic dropped 42% of the points behind the initial shot and lost serve five times from 14 chances offered to his opponent.
The young gun was off to a flying start, breaking Novak two times and opening a 5-1 advantage. Carlos held at 5-2 to wrap up the opener and gain a boost. He kept the same pace in the second set, serving well and earning two breaks for 6-2, 6-2 in 75 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
With no room for errors, the seven-time champion denied four break points in the early stages of the third set. He created a rare break chance in the sixth game, and Carlos denied it to remain on the positive side. The Spaniard stepped in on the return at 5-4.
He landed a couple of winners and delivered a break that put him 5-4 in front. Alcaraz served for the title in the tenth game and lost his focus. He sprayed forehand mistakes, allowing Djokovic to deliver his only break and extend the battle.
The set went into a tie break, and the two traded mini-breaks for 3-3. Carlos raised his level and grabbed four of the following five points. The Spaniard generated two match points and hit a service winner at 6-4 for his second straight Wimbledon title and a ‘Channel Slam.’
Tennis World USA