Third seed Carlos Alcaraz made history at the 2024 French Open by lifting his maiden title after a thrilling battle against Alexander Zverev in a four-hour, 19-minute match. The 21-year-old Spaniard emerged victorious with a 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 scoreline, securing his third career major and surpassing his idol Rafael Nadal’s record by becoming the youngest man to win a major title on three different surfaces. Nadal achieved this feat at the age of 22 in 2009.
The victory not only crowned Alcaraz as the eighth Spaniard to triumph on the clay courts of Roland Garros but also boosted his Slam finals record to a perfect 3-0. He had previously claimed the 2022 US Open and Wimbledon titles in the preceding years.
In terms of prize money, the 2024 French Open organizers set a new benchmark by offering a total purse of €53,478,000 (INR 48.2 crore), representing a significant 7.82% increase from the previous year. Alcaraz’s championship performance earned him a handsome paycheck of €2,400,000 (INR 2.16 crore), a 4.35% rise compared to Novak Djokovic’s winnings in the previous edition.
Meanwhile, runner-up Zverev took home €1,200,000 (INR 1.08 crore), also a 4.35% increase from the amount earned by the previous year’s runner-up, Casper Ruud.
Notably, a larger portion of the prize money was allocated to qualifiers and players who fell in the early rounds of the tournament. Those exiting in the opening round received €20,000 (INR 18 lakhs), marking a 25% increase from the 2023 figures.
The French Tennis Federation emphasized its commitment to supporting players, particularly those ranked outside the top 250, by implementing substantial rises in prize money for the early rounds of the singles draw. Overall, the prize money for lower-ranked players saw a notable surge of 24.65% compared to the previous year.
As the tennis world celebrated Alcaraz’s breakthrough achievement at the French Open, fans and pundits alike lauded his talent and potential to dominate the sport in the years to come. The young Spanish sensation has undoubtedly cemented his place among the elite of the tennis world with his remarkable triumph at Roland Garros.
