
Alcaraz Equals Nadal’s Grand Slam Feat at 22—Calls It ‘Destiny
Carlos Alcaraz referred to it as fate when, on Sunday, June 8, he defeated Jannik Sinner in the French Open 2025 final, tying Rafael Nadal’s record of grand slam victories at the same age.
On Sunday, June 8, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in an exciting French Open final, tying Rafael Nadal’s record of grand slam victories. He referred to it as fate. At the age of 22 days, 1 month, and 3 days, Alcaraz equalled his idol Rafael Nadal’s record and won his fifth Grand Slam on Sunday after returning to defeat Sinner in a dramatic battle. Nadal won his fifth grand slam at the same age in 2008 when he defeated Roger Federer at Wimbledon.
According to Reuters, Alcaraz stated following the victory that he would remember the statistic for the rest of his life. Before stating that it is an enormous pleasure for him to share a record with the record-time French Open winner, the young Spaniard praised his renowned countryman as his inspiration and idol.
“I’m going to say that it’s destiny that I won my fifth Grand Slam at the same age as Rafa Nadal,” Alcaraz remarked, matching Nadal’s record of five major victories at the same point in their careers.
“Winning the fifth Grand Slam concurrently with Rafa, my motivation and idol, is a statistic I will always cherish. It is a great honour.
After falling behind two sets in the final and giving up three title points to Sinner in the fourth set, Alcaraz pulled off a spectacular comeback to win the match, which lasted five hours and twenty-nine minutes, 4–6, 6–7 (4), 6-4, 7–6 (3), 7–6 (10-2). The Spaniard attributed his victory that day to the Roland Garros fans.
He claimed that it would not have been feasible to return without them. Everything was going his way at the beginning of the third set. I had to battle and get those thoughts out of my head.
“I have no idea how I managed to save that game.”
Alcaraz discussed the moment he was 6-5 in the fifth set, with everything going Sinner’s way at the time, and yet forced the match into a super tie-breaker as the pivotal moment in the contest.
The points of the contest weren’t very good. “I saved match points, which is fantastic, but the points weren’t very good,” Alcaraz remarked.
“I have the advantage, 40-all, at 6-5 in the fifth at 15-30 or 30-all. To be honest, I still don’t know how I managed to remember those points so clearly.
“I mean, the queue was being sliced by balls on the queue. That game was being dominated by him. To be honest, I’m still unsure of how I managed to save that game. Alcaraz will now focus on winning the Wimbledon championship again.