Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz saw his joy turn to dismay just hours after he secured victory in the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday evening.
Alcaraz came back from two sets down to defeat top-seed Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) for the illustrious French Open trophy, earning some tasty Roland Garros prize money in the process.
Carlos Alcaraz, who has drawn comparisons to tennis legend and compatriot Rafael Nadal, became just the ninth man in the Open Era to produce a comeback from two sets down in a major final.
A brilliant comeback victory to earn himself a fifth grand slam title wasn’t enough to stop Alcaraz’s disappointment at Spain’s penalty shootout loss to Portugal.
Carlos Alcaraz upset as Portugal beat Spain in Nations League final
Following what was the longest final in Roland-Garros’ coveted history at five hours and 29 minutes, Alcaraz turned his attention from Paris to Munich, where Spain were looking to repeat his success.
With the game having ended 2-2, a penalty shootout was needed to decide the Nations League winners.
In a viral video, the two-time French Open champion appears visibly gutted with the result after Alvaro Morata’s penalty miss cost Spain silverware against local rivals Portugal.
Alcaraz asks what appears to be a member of his team for an update on the match, and is given the bad news, to which he responds: “no, no man…” with his head in his hands.
The decisive penalty miss came just two hours after the Spanish sensation lifted La Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Why was Alcaraz so disappointed?
Having just completed one of the best comebacks of all time to win yourself a fifth Grand Slam title, you’d think it’d be difficult to bring your mood down, but Alcaraz is a massive football fan.
The Spaniard, who hails from Murcia, is a huge Real Madrid fan and has been very public with his love for the club. Madrid are also very fond of him.
Alcaraz has also been spotted donning other clubs’ retro strips, including the likes of Arsenal and Boca Juniors, and visited La Bombonera ahead of the 2024 Argentina Open.
The connection between Spanish tennis and football goes both ways, with a group of players, including the likes of Gavi and David Raya, spotted huddling around a phone before their big match to watch Alcaraz’s historic victory.