“Want to put my name on that list” – Carlos Alcaraz motivated to continue legacy of Rafael Nadal and other Spaniards ahead of French Open final

Carlos Alcaraz reached the final of the 2024 French Open by defeating Jannik Sinner on Friday, June 7. By doing so, he became the 11th Spaniard to reach a Roland Garros final in the Open Era history.

He joins the list that includes Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is currently his coach, Albert Costa, Alex Corretja, Carlos Moya, Sergi Bruguera, Alberto Berasategui, Manuel Orantes, and Andres Gimeno. Nadal notably holds the record for winning this tournament a staggering 14 times.

Alcaraz bettered Sinner in a tight contest that witnessed five sets as both players broke each other six times. Sinner notably won 147 points, two more than Alcaraz, but the Spaniard managed to edge through 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 after a four-hour-12-minute-long grind at Philippe Chatrier.

While talking to the reporters after the match, the Spaniard recollected his childhood memories of the Paris Major.

"Well, I have a special feeling to this tournament, because I remember when I finished school I'm running to my home just to put the TV on and watch the matches here in the French Open. I watched a lot of matches," Carlos Alcaraz said in the post-match presser.

The 21-year-old then revealed his motivation to continue the legacy of Spanish winners at Roland Garros ahead of the final on Sunday. He said:

"Of course, Rafa Nadal dominating this tournament for, let's say, 14, 15 years. It's something unbelievable. I wanted to put my name on that list of the Spanish players who won this tournament. Not only Rafa, Ferrero, Moya, Costa, a lot of Spanish players, legends from our sport that won this tournament, I really want to put my name on that list, as well."

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Carlos Alcaraz to clash with Alexander Zverev in French Open 2024 final

Alexander Zverev (L) and Carlos Alcaraz. Photo: Getty

Carlos Alcaraz will clash with Germany's Alexander Zverev in the match for the French Open men's singles championship on Sunday, June 9. Zverev overcame two-time finalist Casper Ruud 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in his semifinal effort.

Zverev has proved to be a tough challenge for Alcaraz over the last couple of years. The two have met a total of nine times on the court with the German holding a 5-4 lead in the head-to-head. This will be the Spaniard's second meeting with Zverev at Roland Garros after losing the quarterfinal 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7) in 2022.

If Carlos Alcaraz gets the better of Alexander Zverev on Sunday, he will become the seventh Spaniard after Rafael Nadal, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Albert Costa, Carlos Moya, Sergi Bruguera, and Andres Gimeno to be crowned the French Open champion in Open Era.