In a dazzling display on the red clay of Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz, the defending French Open champion, has solidified his status as a worthy heir to Rafael Nadal’s clay-court legacy with a commanding 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory over American Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals of the 2025 French Open. The 22-year-old Spaniard’s near-flawless performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where he dropped just one game in the first two sets, evoked memories of Nadal’s unparalleled dominance at the tournament, where the 14-time champion lost only four of his 116 matches. Alcaraz’s clean-sheet triumph, his most convincing win on Parisian clay this year, propels him into the semifinals against Lorenzo Musetti and brings him one step closer to becoming the first man since Nadal in 2019-20 to defend the Roland Garros title.
Alcaraz’s match against Paul was a masterclass in precision and power, showcasing the explosive forehands and relentless court coverage that have drawn comparisons to his idol, Nadal. The world No. 2, who entered the tournament on the back of ATP Masters 1000 titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome, overwhelmed the 12th-seeded American from the outset. He fired 29 winners and committed just 12 unforced errors, winning 71% of first-serve points and breaking Paul’s serve six times. The first two sets were a rout, with Alcaraz dropping only one game in a 45-minute blitz. Paul, a 2024 Australian Open semifinalist, showed resilience in the third set, pushing Alcaraz to 4-4, but the Spaniard sealed the match with a blistering inside-out forehand on match point. “It was really, really solid,” Alcaraz said post-match, reflecting on his performance. “The first round of the tournament is never easy, coming here as the defending champion could be even tougher. But I just started pretty well, and kept my good pace during the whole match.”
This victory marks Alcaraz’s 100th tour-level win on clay, achieved in just 119 matches—a feat surpassed only by Nadal’s 112 matches in the Open Era. At 22, Alcaraz now holds a 103-19 (84.4%) clay-court win percentage, trailing only Nadal (90.5%) and Björn Borg (86.1%) among players with at least 25 matches on the surface. His 2025 clay season has been nothing short of spectacular, with 16 wins in 17 tour-level matches, including triumphs over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in Rome and Holger Rune in Monte-Carlo. “Right now, I think I found a really good path again,” Alcaraz said of his season. “I’m just starting to get it, feeling more comfortable approaching these matches.”
The ghost of Nadal, who retired in November 2024 after a storied career, looms large over Roland Garros. Alcaraz, who played doubles with his idol at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has often spoken of Nadal’s influence. “This court has given me some unforgettable moments,” he said of Chatrier, where he lifted his maiden French Open title in 2024 by defeating Alexander Zverev. “It’s always special to play here.” His admiration for Nadal was evident after his Barcelona Open final loss to Rune in April 2025, when he remarked, “I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week. You have to respect that.” Alcaraz’s ability to dominate on clay, much like Nadal, has fueled discussions about his potential to approach the Mallorcan’s record of 14 French Open titles. When asked if he could imagine matching that feat, Alcaraz was humble: “It’s something you can’t think about … I mean, just one man on the planet was able to do it, and I can’t imagine [doing it].”
Alcaraz’s journey to the semifinals has been marked by resilience. He navigated a tricky four-set match against Damir Džumhur in the first round, followed by straight sets over qualifier Giulio Zeppieri and a four-set battle with Fábián Marozsán, where he became the second-fastest player to reach 20 French Open wins, trailing only Nadal. His fourth-round clash with Ben Shelton, a 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 thriller, showcased his mental fortitude. “Today I fought against myself, in my mind,” Alcaraz admitted. “I tried to calm myself as I was mad, angry and saying things I shouldn’t have.” His ability to refocus under pressure, honed by lessons from Nadal during their Olympic doubles run, has been key to his success.
Off the court, Alcaraz’s charisma and humility continue to captivate fans. The Netflix series *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*, released in April 2025, offered a glimpse into his 2024 season, highlighting his balance of ambition and relatability. His foundation, launched in 2024 to support disadvantaged children in El Palmar, reflects his commitment to giving back, a trait he admired in Nadal. As Alcaraz prepares for Musetti, whom he leads 3-1 in their head-to-head, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation. A potential final against Sinner, who trails Alcaraz 4-7 in their rivalry, looms large. With Nadal’s statue watching over Roland Garros, Alcaraz’s clean-sheet win signals that the Spaniard is ready to carve his own legend on the Parisian clay.
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