On June 8, 2025, the clay Philippe Chatrier de Roland-Garros was the scene of a show that will remain in the history of tennis. Carlos Alcaraz, the young prodigy of El Palmar, successfully defended his crown during an epic final against the world number one Jannik Sinner. But beyond this victory, it is a special announcement, pronounced the best day of his life, who left the audience amazed, his parents and his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in tears, and many wondered: what happened?
The final was a shock from the Titans which lasted five hours and 29 minutes, the longest in the history of Roland-Garros. Alcaraz, just 22 years old, went up a match that seemed lost after being led two sets and saved three match balls. With a final score of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2), the Spaniard showed resilience which recalled the hours of glory of Rafael Nadal in Paris. The Philippe-Chatrier, bathed by the Parisian sun, vibrated to the sound of “Carlos, Carlos!” And Spanish pasodoble that echoed in the stands. Even legends like André Agassi, present in the lodges, did not leave the eyes.
After lifting the Musketeer Cup for the second consecutive time, Alcaraz took the microphone on the central court. A radiant smile, the trophy in hand, he began his thank you speech. He spoke of his family, his team and how Roland-Garros had changed his life. But his tone then changed. “Today is the best day of my life, not only thanks to this title, but also because I want to share something special with all of you,” he said, while the crowd was plunging into a silence full of waiting.
“I will create the Alcaraz Foundation, dedicated to making children discover the children of disadvantaged communities around the world. I want this sport, which brought me so much, an opportunity for everyone, wherever they come from. Alcaraz’s words resonated with a force that transcended the short. His parents, visibly moved, hugged the arms in the stands, while Juan Carlos Ferrero, his coach and mentor, could not hold back his tears. The idea of this foundation was a secret dream, a project that Alcaraz had planned for months with his team, inspired by the stories of children who, like him, dreamed of holding a racket, but could not afford to achieve it.
However, not everyone has grasped the extent of the announcement. Some viewers, perhaps expecting a more personal or sensational revelation, have been caught. On social networks, comments were from admiration to perplexity: “A foundation? I thought he was going to announce something bigger! But for those who know Alcaraz, this gesture reflected its essence: a young man who, despite the celebrity and the millions, remains attached to his humble roots of Murcia.
According to sources close to sport, the Alcaraz Foundation will start its activities in 2026 and offer free tennis academies in Spain, Latin America and Africa. Alcaraz plans to devote a significant part of its income, including the $ 2.55 million earned in Roland-Garros, to finance the project. “Tennis saved me; He gave me a goal. I want other young people to be so lucky, “he said at the press conference that followed, where he also joked by saying that he would not make a new tattoo, but rather that he would buy” a cool watch “to celebrate.
This victory and this announcement marked a turning point in Alcaraz’s career. With five Grand Chelem titles, he has established himself as the dolphin of Nadal, but with a unique style combining a huge talent with a boundless humanity. While Stadium Philippe-Chatrier said goodbye to him under a thunderous ovation, Alcaraz clearly indicated that his heritage would not be measured only in trophies, but also in lives that he would transform. On this unforgettable day, Paris crowned not only a champion, but a visionary who dreams of changing the world, racket after racket.
