Roland Garros 2023: Five things to know about Carlos Alcaraz, symbol of the new era of tennis

A Spaniard who makes an impression on the courts of Roland Garros, the Porte d’Auteuil public has grown accustomed to him for nearly two decades. This time the owner of the place, Rafael Nadal, is not present, but the onlookers do not seem outright out of place. Because in order to take over, young Carlos Alcaraz, 20, seems to be the best armed. On Friday, June 9, the world No. 1 will take on Serb Novak Djokovic with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name in an enticing semi-final.

Such a challenge, Carlos Alcaraz is starting to get used to it. A native of El Palmar (southeast of Spain) was unknown to the general public two years ago. But its rise is swift. Up to records. Last year at the world’s largest tennis arena, the Arthur Ashe Court (USA), Carlos Alcaraz took a double whammy: he won his first Grand Slam title, the US Open, and was ranked No. 1 in the world at 19 years old. years, 4 months and 6 days. No one in the history of tennis has known such dedication at such a young age.

A few months earlier, he had already followed in the footsteps of the greatest, integrating into the top 10 at 18. Since then, Carlos Alcaraz has continued to amaze. Before facing Novak Djokovic and his long list of successes, the Spaniard also began forging records: ten titles, including the US Open and tournaments in Barcelona and Madrid, just before Roland Garros.

The results and the status of world number 1, which necessarily give him the role of the favorite. Novak Djokovic himself admits this. Way to get out of pressure? Before the tournament, the Serb in any case praised his opponent. “There are big names, obviously Alcaraz, he’s number 1 in the world and definitely the top favourite.”he started in front of the press. “He has won important titles on clay this season. This makes him a top favourite.”

“If we compare his form over the past few months with mine, I think he’s a bit of a favourite.”he confessed again. “I have experience on my side. But in terms of game and form, I think he is the number 1 favorite.”

On clay, the 2023 masters are indeed called Alcaraz. Since the start of the season on Ocher, the Spaniard has won 25 of his 27 matches. No one has won more games than him and a 26th win would see him improve on his best result of his young career at Roland Garros, who were knocked out in the quarter-finals last year.

By beating Djokovic, Alcaraz would also make a nice birthday present for Nadal, who just celebrated his 37th birthday: he would prevent the Serb from winning the 23rd Grand Slam and thus overtaking his great rival.

When Rafael Nadal won his first title at Philippe-Chatrier in June 2005, Carlos Alcaraz had just celebrated his second birthday. Will they both develop 19 years later to try and win Olympic gold next year in Paris? It’s anyway “dream” presented by Carlos Alcaraz.

“Of course it would be a dream to play Rafa in doubles at the Olympics next year.”launched world number 1, in front of the press, before the start of the tournament. “This is a year, and for him and for me a lot can happen, but I hope that we will both be at the Olympics.“First, give Nadal a return to the top level if he manages to get rid of the injuries that prevented him from playing this year in “his” tournament.

In addition to trophies, Alcaraz also wins hearts. In Madrid, even his training sessions are short. Last month, crowds thronged the footbridge that looms over the outer courts to see it at all costs, according to AFP. The video he filmed there, with his camera fixed on it, gives an idea of ​​the growing “carlosmania”: five minutes of pushing, waving phones, tight balls and pens.

“It makes me happy to know that I make people want to watch and play tennis, I love this sport, it’s my life, my passion. Passing it on to people who never wanted to, and now started thanks to me, it’s wonderful”he appreciated. A major stakeholder also appears on the front pages of generalist magazines in Spain, a testament to its growing popularity. We can’t wait to see what happens next.