In a heart-pounding finale at Roland Garros, 22-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz cemented his legacy by clinching his second consecutive French Open title, defeating world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in an epic five-set marathon that lasted over five hours. The victory, a testament to Alcaraz’s grit and flair on clay, earned him a staggering €2.55 million ($2.75 million) in prize money, the largest payout in the tournament’s history. Yet, as the confetti settled on the Philippe-Chatrier court, a sobering reality emerged: nearly half of his hard-fought earnings—approximately €1.18 million ($1.27 million)—will be siphoned off by Spanish tax authorities, casting a shadow over his triumph.
Alcaraz’s match against Sinner was nothing short of historic, marking the longest French Open final ever and the first to feature three tiebreaks, with the title decided by a dramatic fifth-set tiebreak. “To put it into words is really difficult honestly,” Alcaraz shared with TNT Sports after the match, his voice tinged with exhaustion and elation. “I just tried to keep it going, not thinking about the result, just fighting point after point.” His resilience shone through as he battled back from two sets down, saving three match points to secure his fifth Grand Slam title, drawing comparisons to his idol, Rafael Nadal, who last defended the French Open crown five years ago.
However, the financial implications of his victory are stark. As a resident of Murcia, Spain, Alcaraz faces a hefty tax bill under Spain’s Personal Income Tax (IRPF) system, which claims around 46% of his Roland Garros earnings. This includes state and regional taxes, a burden that elite Spanish athletes like Alcaraz know all too well. Deductions for expenses such as accommodation, coaching, and training staff—estimated at €320,000—offer some relief, but the net result leaves Alcaraz with roughly €1.37 million from his €2.55 million prize. In contrast, runner-up Sinner, who resides in tax-friendly Monaco, is expected to forfeit only about €200,000 of his €1.28 million prize, highlighting the stark disparities in tax regimes for global athletes.
The tax hit is not new to Alcaraz, who has faced similar deductions throughout his meteoric career. With career prize money exceeding $44.73 million, he ranks among the ATP’s top earners, yet Spain’s progressive tax system takes a significant cut. In 2024, Alcaraz earned $42.3 million, including $10.3 million in tournament winnings and $32 million from endorsements with brands like Nike, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton, per Forbes. Reflecting on Spain’s tax challenges during an interview in Turin last year, he candidly noted, “I have to pay, you know, taxes in Spain, so it’s gonna be half of it.” Despite the financial strain, Alcaraz remains tethered to his roots in El Palmar, living modestly in a €1.5–2 million home with private tennis courts and a pool, a far cry from the lavish lifestyles of some peers.
The tax burden has sparked broader conversations in the tennis world. Danish player Holger Rune, commenting on social media, clarified that players pay taxes in the host country—France, in this case, levies a 15% non-resident tax—but Spain’s higher rates apply for Alcaraz. “You pay tax of your prize money in the country where you play,” Rune wrote, adding, “But you can deduct your expenses.” Some athletes, like Nadal and Novak Djokovic, have relocated to low-tax jurisdictions like Monaco, but Alcaraz shows no signs of leaving Spain. Echoing Nadal’s 2017 sentiments, he seems to prioritize happiness over wealth, with Nadal once stating, “In another country, I would have double the money but be only half as happy.”
Alcaraz’s focus remains on the court, not the taxman. With ambitions to win the Australian Open in 2025 and become the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam, he continues to captivate fans with his charisma and tenacity. His Netflix documentary, *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*, released in April 2025, offers a glimpse into his mental and physical battles, revealing a young man balancing global stardom with humility. As he prepares for the next season, Alcaraz’s tax woes underscore the unseen costs of success, yet his unwavering spirit suggests he’ll keep swinging, undeterred by the financial scoreboard.
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