John McEnroe proven right as Carlos Alcaraz fights back against Alexander Zverev to win French Open title

Carlos Alcaraz has now won three Grand Slam titles at the age of 21

Carlos Alcaraz has now won three Grand Slam titles at the age of 21

GETTY
Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 09/06/2024

- 19:48

Carlos Alcaraz became the first player to win his first three Grand Slams at different majors with his win over Alexander Zverev at the French Open.

John McEnroe's view that Carlos Alcaraz is better than Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at the age of 21 was given even more credence with the young Spaniard winning his first French Open title.

Alcaraz burst onto the scene in 2021 at the age of 17 where he went on to break numerous records.


A year later saw Alcaraz climb up the rankings before creating history in winning the US Open to become the youngest No 1 in ATP history.

More history was made in 2023 when he ended Novak Djokovic's dominance at Wimbledon to win an epic final for his second major title.

Carlos Alcaraz has now won three Grand Slam titles at the age of 21

Carlos Alcaraz has now won three Grand Slam titles at the age of 21

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And he's now become a three-time Grand Slam champion after defeating Zverev in another five-set thriller at Roland Garros.

Zverev had taken a 2-1 lead after the third set, but Alcaraz managed to step up a gear to win the fourth and he took that momentum into the deciding set and clinch another famous victory.

Zverev had taken a 2-1 lead after the third set, but Alcaraz managed to step up a gear to win the fourth and he took that momentum into the deciding set and clinch another famous victory.

He did something similar to beat Jannik Sinner in the semi-final, which saw McEnroe sing the praises of Alcaraz.

The American tennis icon went as far to claim that Alcaraz is now the best-ever 21-year-old male tennis player - even above Nadal, Federer and Djokovic.

"Coming back from two sets to one is big time when you're playing a player of Sinner's calibre," McEnroe said before the final.

"I've got to say this for the record and I've said it before, Carlos Alcaraz is my favourite player to watch.

"He's the most skilled young man I've seen play at this age and hopefully - it's hard to imagine - he can keep improving.

John McEnroe feels Carlos Alcaraz is the best 21 year old in men's tennis history

John McEnroe feels Carlos Alcaraz is the best 21 year old in men's tennis history

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"He's so good at everything already, but he's better than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic at 21 to me.

"Alcaraz is this unique individual we need around this sport for a long time."

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Carlos Alcaraz is now a three-time major winner

Carlos Alcaraz is now a three-time major winner

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The Spaniard has become the first player to win their first three Grand Slam titles at different venues following his win over Zverev.

And he can become the youngest male player to win the Career Grand Slam if he clinches his first Australian Open before turning 24 years old.

Nadal holds the record as the youngest male tennis star to win the Career Slam after winning the 2010 US Open at the age of 24.

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