Alcaraz recovers joy in the Court Philippe Chatrier | ATP Tour

Roland Garros

Alcaraz recovers joy in the Court Philippe-Bratrier

The Spanish reaches 20 victories in Roland Garros

May 28, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz lived a very special reunion in Roland Garros.

The current champion returned on Wednesday to the Court Philippe-Chaatrier, the scenario in which he lived some of the most intense emotions of last season. Among the walls of the largest clay temple, Spanish knew the glory, raising its first cup of musketeers, and also the pain, leaving one step away from hanging the gold medal in the Olympic Games, with the watchful eye of Paris as a backdrop. Provided to recover a sweet taste in the forest of Bologna, the Murcia greet again at the stands of the main stadium, with the opportunity to smile again at his seats.

“I love this track,” Alcaraz said, satisfied after defeating in four sleeves (6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2) to the unpredictable Fabian Marozsan. “I have done great things in it, I have lived great moments and also some bad, I have learned from.

On a day of unstable conditions, where the rain forced the roof to close in the main stadiums, Alcaraz had to push a heavy ball like lead to overcome a heterodox rival. The Budapest player, one of the few players with a victory over clay against the Murcian in his history, represented a risk higher than reflected by No. 56 that accompanied his name in the ranking. The memory of the duel in Rome, where he managed to dismantle the Spanish proposal just two years ago, was the best lure to go to the track with his eyes completely open.

Faster men to reach 20 wins in Roland Garros

The Murcia had to cross a game with atypical ingredients, spilled by a player capable of putting together a maze in each exchange. Marozsan’s ability, a man with natural skill to fence the network without rest, was a warning of the danger that the duel could lead to. Far from preparing a background battle, one of the main chapters in the clay manual, the Central Europe went to the stadium with a completely different plan. If Carlos’s strength resides in solidity, with points built from the order, the clash had to breathe pure intermittency.

“It has been a great game. I have played a first set with a lot of confidence,” added the Spanish, with an impeccable balance of 17 victories in 18 games about clay this season. “In the second set he has raised his level, he has not made a mistake. It has been difficult to deal with his game at that time, but I am happy to have stayed firm. In the third and fourth set I have managed to have a great level, they have been two good last sleeves.”

Alcaraz completed a total concentration match, accompanied by the honorary plaque that pays tribute to Rafael Nadal on the banks of the Parisian central court. That spirit of constancy, discipline and determination guided every blow of Carlos, determined to write his own way in a tournament that already receives him as the new king. After a season of sensational beaten land, where he raised the titles of Montecarlo and Rome, in addition to playing the Barcelona final, the Murcian added his second triumph in Paris, placing the foundations to try to defend a demanding throne as few.

Now, the road of Alcaraz enters a special land, where any player can find arguments to dream of a deed. With the aim of ensuring his presence in the Ecuador of the tournament, the Murcia will play the third round of Roland Garros against the Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, winner 7-6 (4), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 before the local jacket Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. It will be an unprecedented duel in the circuit against the Balkan, tanned after a long decade of visits to Grand Slam Parisino.

In Paris, where Nadal was the last man capable of defending the throne, Alcaraz continues to hold heavy gallons on his shoulders.

Did you know what …?
Carlos Alcaraz aspires to become the fourth Spanish player with multiple individual titles on the whipped land of Roland Garros. The Murcian, current champion of the tournament, can follow in the footsteps of illustrious compatriots such as Manuel Santana (1961, 1964), Sergi Bruguera (1993, 1994) and Rafael Nadal (2005-08, 2010-14, 2017-20, 2022) occupying a very special place in the Grand Slam Parisino honor.