Rafael Nadal Congratulates Carlos Alcaraz on His First French Open Title

June 9, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

Carlos Alcaraz won his first French Open title on Sunday, taking down Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller 6–3, 2–6, 5–7, 6–1, 6–2.

At 21 years old, Alcaraz became the youngest men’s player to win a Grand Slam title on all three surfaces: hard court, clay and grass. He’s also the first Spaniard to win the French Open since 14-time champion Rafael Nadal last won at Roland Garros in 2022.

As Nadal could possibly retire at the end of the 2024 season, many fans see Alcaraz as one of the next great men’s tennis players. So, it was fitting that Nadal wrote a congratulatory message on X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after Alcaraz played his winning point Sunday.

“Congratulations @carlosalcaraz for this immense victory!!!! Big!!!! Very happy for your successes!!! #Vamos,” Nadal wrote.

Enhorabuena @carlosalcaraz por esta inmensa victoria!!!! Grande!!!! Muy contento por tus éxitos !!! 🇪🇸 #Vamos https://t.co/bIBbJhyh4B

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 9, 2024

Nadal lost in the first round to Zverev, which was only the fourth French Open loss of his career. Nadal holds the record for the most major titles won at a single tournament with 14 at Roland Garros. He was just 19 years old when he won his first French Open title in 2005.

Alcaraz will play at the next major event, Wimbledon, starting July 1 as the tournament’s reigning champion . He has now won three major titles in his young career.

8 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Alexander Zverev vs. Carlos Alcaraz Odds and Pick for French Open Finals

A new French Open champion will be crowned on Sunday with Alexander Zverev gunning for his first Grand Slam title against two-time Grand Slam champ Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz, the heavy favorite to claim his first title at Roland-Garros, is off a five set thriller against soon-to-be-named No. 1 player in the world Jannik Sinner, while Zverev finally breakthrough after making three consecutive semifinals in the French Open, beating Casper Ruud in four sets.

Zverev has had a grueling journey to his second ever Grand Slam title, starting by beating the best clay court player in Rafael Nadal, playing two five set matches, and now facing arguably the future of the sport in Alcaraz.

The Spaniard is the heavy favorite, here’s our full betting preview for the French Open Finals.

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 38.5 (Over -112/Under -118)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

The question surrounding this one will be if Zverev can finally get the monkey off his back and win a Grand Slam title.

Despite some long matches, Zverev has been at the top of his game in 2024, one set away from advancing to the Australian Open Finals and 12 straight wins on this surface that includes a title in Rome. However, this will be by far his stiffest test against the phenom that is Alcaraz.

Fitness concerns have plagued Alcaraz for much of this year, but there has been no denying his excellence at Roland-Garros. Last year, as the tournament favorite, Alcaraz lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, cramping up in the middle of the match. Can he avenge his own loss?

There is no denying Alcaraz is the better player, and that’s indicated in the odds, but Zverev has proven to be capable of neutralizing some of the Spainard’s physical success on the court, sporting an elite backhand.

It’s worth noting that Zverev leads the head-to-head between the two 5-4, winning two of three on this surface, including a four set victory at the 2022 French Open.

Alcaraz has the firepower to win this match in straight sets, but Zverev has improved on his service games to drag matches into tiebreakers and extend the match.

An upset could be brewing at Roland-Garros, but I believe it will take a while. I’ll go for the over games as my preferred bet in the French Open Finals.

PICK: OVER 38.5 Games (-112)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Rafael Nadal to Miss Wimbledon, Will Focus on Paris Olympics

Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that he will miss 2024 Wimbledon to instead focus on preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This news is huge as it could've been Nadal's final Wimbledon. He's a two-time Wimbledon champion, winning the tournament in 2008 and 2010. Although he hasn't officially made a retirement decision public, he's hinted over the last year that this year could be his final year on the tour.

His decision to miss Wimbledon boiled down to him wanting to solely train on clay courts for the Olympics, in which he will partner up with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in doubles. He doesn't want to shift his training and play on grass courts in between.

"With this goal, we believe that the best for my body is not to change surface and keep playing on clay until then. It’s for this reason that I will miss playing at the Championships this year at Wimbledon," Nadal wrote on social media. "I am saddened not to be able to live this year the great atmosphere of that amazing event that will always be in my heart, and be with all the British fans that always gave me great support. I will miss you all."

With this goal, we believe that the best for my body is not to change surface and keep playing on clay until then. It’s for this reason that I will miss playing at the Championships this year at Wimbledon. I am saddened not to be able to live this year the great atmosphere of…
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 13, 2024

The 38-year-old has missed quite a bit of the season already because of abdominal injuries. He missed nearly the entire 2023 season because of a hip injury, meaning he also was absent for the 2023 Wimbledon tournament.

Nadal wrote that he will play in the Nordea Open in mid-July, which is played in Bastad, Sweden. It is a clay court tournament.

5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner Prediction, Odds and Pick for French Open Semifinals

Two of the brightest stars in the sport of tennis meet with a first time spot in the French Open finals on the line.

Jannik Sinner is set to be the No. 1 player in the world for the first time in history, but will need to get past two-time Grand Slam champ Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 3 player in the world.

Both set to rule the sport, both elite on clay, both trying to win it all at Roland-Garros for the first time.

Here’s our full betting preview for the highly anticipated semifinal on Friday.

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 38.5 (Over -110/Under -120)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

These two have a competitive head-to-head against one another, 5-4 in favor of the Spaniard, including each winning a match on clay. However, that doesn’t translate as much considering the two matches were in 2022 and 2019.

Sinner is enjoying a career run that includes an Australia Open title, moving closer to Alcaraz in terms of how he is viewed in the sport, but the odds are rightfully with the U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion, who entered the tournament as the favorite and has backed it up with a dominant run to date. Alcaraz has dropped only one set and looks primed to avenge his cramp issue in the semifinals last year against Novak Djokovic.

Sinner is 28-3 on the year, losing one match on clay (he did withdraw from another), but there is no denying that Alcaraz has far more upside between the two on this surface.

Instead of taking a side, I believe we are primed to see plenty of twists and turns in this one, including plenty of outstanding play.

The two players have consistently pushed each other, only two matches have been straight sets, and the lone Grand Slam meeting went to a deciding fifth that included two tiebreakers.

I expect at least four sets, and plenty of drawn out games with the potential of tiebreaks.

Over is my favorite way to bet this match.

PICK: OVER 38.5 Games (-110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Rafael Nadal Congratulates Carlos Alcaraz on His First French Open Title

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