At just 22 years old, Carlos Alcaraz has already proven that tennis is something special in Spain. Following in the footsteps of legends like Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moyá, Manuel Orantes, and David Ferrer, Spanish players have long excelled on clay. That’s why Nadal holds the record for most French Open titles, and Alcaraz is clearly determined to follow in his footsteps.
Alcaraz’s most recent victory at the Italian Open confirmed he’s ready to carry Nadal’s legacy on clay. With 10 of his 19 career titles coming on the surface, the young Spaniard is steadily building his dominance. Roland Garros now stands as a potential milestone on that journey.
While he doesn’t match Nadal’s title count through his first five years, 19 for Alcaraz versus 31 for Nadal, there’s more to legacy than numbers alone. Titles matter, of course, but Alcaraz can still carve his name into history, much like Ferrer did with 27 career titles and a peak world ranking of No. 3.
What sets Alcaraz apart is his versatility. He’s already proven he can win on all surfaces, not just clay. He captured the US Open, his first Grand Slam title, followed by a Wimbledon crown and now sets his sights on a French Open win. That would place him alongside another Spanish great, Carlos Moya.
Alcaraz can continue Nadal’s legacy
Heading into Roland Garros, I truly believe, barring any career-altering injury, that Alcaraz is capable of continuing Nadal’s legacy. With another clay-court tournament on deck, he has a chance to extend his dominance in this season’s Masters 1000 events. Of course, Jannik Sinner stands in the way. The current World No. 1 is playing some of the best tennis of his career, and that sets up a compelling showdown.
This is the last major clay tournament of the season. After July, only four more events on clay remain, all ATP 250s. While Alcaraz might choose to enter one for a tune-up, bigger challenges lie ahead on other surfaces.
And that’s where Alcaraz can ultimately differentiate himself from Nadal. In fact, the two are tied when it comes to non-clay titles in the early stages of their careers. With Wimbledon and the US Open still ahead, two Slams he’s already won, and four more Masters 1000 events on the calendar, Alcaraz has every opportunity to rise in the all-time Spanish title rankings.
Creating his own legacy
While it’s easy to frame Alcaraz as Nadal’s heir, the truth is he’s also creating his own identity on tour. With a blistering forehand and unmatched speed, he’s not just dominant on clay, he’s a legitimate threat on hard courts and grass as well.
That’s why his potential goes beyond merely following in Nadal’s footsteps. His all-surface success gives him an edge in building a legacy that’s uniquely his own. Roland Garros may just be the next chapter in a story Spain will be proud of for generations.
With his sights set on greatness, Alcaraz continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible at his age. His stats this year speak volumes: 130 aces, a 71% win rate on first serves, and 400 service games played, numbers that reflect not just consistency but elite performance.
Alcaraz can win at Roland Garros
Alcaraz has shown time and again that he’s one of the best players in the world on clay. This year, he’s already won three titles on the surface, backed by a strong serve, 25 aces and 68% of first-serve points won, with 81% of service games held in just 170 games played.
His French Open journey begins against a familiar name: Kei Nishikori, a former opponent of Nadal’s and a seasoned clay-court player. Back in 2015, Nishikori made a run to the quarterfinals before falling to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a five-set thriller. If Alcaraz can get past him, he’ll be one step closer to glory at Roland Garros.