How Alcaraz is tracing the paths of Nadal, Federer

If Carlos Alcaraz’s epic Roland Garros final victory were a blockbuster film, his triumph would be the jaw-dropping moment everyone remembers and talks about for years to come.

Beyond the drama of a five-hour, 29-minute marathon — in which he saved three straight championship points to deny rival Jannik Sinner his first Roland Garros title — Alcaraz’s victory is rich with striking parallels and history-making significance.

Following in Rafa’s footsteps
Alcaraz lifted his fifth Slam trophy just one day older (22 years, 34 days) than his idol and countryman Rafael Nadal. Fittingly, Nadal’s fifth major also came in dramatic fashion. The lefty toppled Roger Federer in a legendary 2008 Wimbledon showdown, one of the most iconic battles in their 40-match Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry.

Now, fans will talk about Sunday’s thriller between Alcaraz and World No. 1 Sinner in the manner they talk about Nadal and Federer’s '08 Wimbledon classic, which the Spaniard won 9-7 in the fifth set, with daylight quickly fading.

CARLOS TO-DO LIST 📝

Come back from two sets down: ✅
Save 3 championship points: ✅
Defend title ✅

SIMPLY. ON. ANOTHER. LEVEL. 🚀#rolandgarros #alcaraz pic.twitter.com/VxhxVUdDkR

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 8, 2025

Flawless in Slam finals
Alcaraz extended his perfect record in major finals to 5-0, just two shy of matching Federer’s record of winning his first seven major finals. Federer, a 20-time major champion, won his first Slam at Wimbledon in 2003 and did not lose a major final until 2006 Roland Garros, where he fell to Nadal in four sets.

Alcaraz earned his first major trophy at the 2022 US Open, which came with a double prize for the Spaniard. Not only was he crowned champion, Alcaraz also became the youngest No. 1 in PIF ATP Rankings history.

Going for double glory
The 22-year-old will chase another historic feat at Wimbledon. Alcaraz aims to become just the second player — alongside Bjorn Borg — to claim the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in back-to-back seasons. Borg won the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in 1978, '79 and '80.

Alcaraz, who is first in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, has won the Wimbledon title the past two seasons, twice denying Novak Djokovic from a record-tying eighth trophy at the grass-court major.

Read More About Alcaraz's Historic Triumph:
How Alcaraz saved 3 championship points
Alcaraz joins this list of players to rally from two sets down in a Grand Slam final...
Rivalries: Alcaraz vs. Sinner