Carlos Alcaraz becomes 2nd youngest French Open finalist since "idol" Rafael Nadal following SF win over Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz established himself as the second youngest French Open finalist since 2000 with his semifinal victory over Jannik Sinner. The youngest finalist at Roland Garros is Alcaraz's idol, Rafael Nadal, who reached the final in 2005 at just 19 years of age.

Alcaraz has never shied away from expressing his affection for Nadal. While interacting with the ball kids ahead of the Paris Major, he said that Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, was his idol.

"Rafa. Right now, right now Rafa is my idol, favorite player, favorite everything," Alcaraz said.

After his semifinal victory against Jannik Sinner at the 2024 French Open, Alcaraz joined his idol on a very elite list. He became the second youngest man to reach the final of the French Open since 2000, only behind Rafael Nadal.

Alcaraz defeated Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinal match that saw Sinner complain of hand cramps and even resort to medical help. In the face of pressure, the Spaniard managed to remain composed and make it to his first claycourt Slam final.

The World No. 3 will now face Alexander Zverev in the summit clash. This will be the tenth meeting between the two, with Zverev leading the head-to-head 5-4. They met once in the French capital, when they faced off in the quarterfinals of the 2022 French Open. The German won that meeting in four sets. Alcaraz would now have a chance of avenging that defeat as they fight it out for the coveted ‎Coupe des Mousquetaires on June 9.

Carlos Alcaraz on watching Rafael Nadal on possibly his last appearance at French Open: "It was an experience that I had to live"

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal at the 2021 Madrid Open

Carlos Alcaraz was one of the few big names in Phillipe Chatrier when Rafael Nadal played Alexander Zverev, which might have been the maestro's last match at the French Open. Other stars that were witnesses to the historical event were Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek.

Alacarz said that, as a tennis fan, watching Nadal at Roland Garros was very special. He said it was the first time he had seen the King of Clay in action on his favorite court.

"It is a very nice match to see, at least as a tennis fan, to see Rafa here at Roland Garros. I have not been lucky enough to see it live, I think it is the first match that I have seen live here at Roland Garros and the truth is that, since I could, it was an experience that I had to live. A match with Zverev for me was a good match, even though he lost. And the truth is, what better way than to see it until the last moment," Carlos Alcaraz said in the press conference.

In that encounter, Nadal lost in straight sets to Zverev.