“My grandfather is proud” – Carlos Alcaraz credits granddad’s iconic 3C’s mantra for inspiring French Open final comeback
Carlos Alcaraz Credits Grandfather’s 3C Mantra for French Open 2025 Comeback
Carlos Alcaraz attributed his stunning comeback in the French Open 2025 men’s final against Jannik Sinner on June 8 to his grandfather’s iconic “3C” mantra: *cabeza, corazón, cojones* (head, heart, balls). Trailing two sets down and facing three championship points at 3-5, 0-40 in the fourth set, Alcaraz staged a historic 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) victory in a record-breaking five-hour, 29-minute Roland Garros final, per Sportskeeda.com. After collapsing onto the clay, Alcaraz declared, “I played with my grandfather’s three Cs. My grandfather is proud,” shouting “cojones” in celebration, per Sportskeeda.com.[]
The 22-year-old Spaniard, who claimed his fifth Grand Slam and second French Open title, has often cited his grandfather Carlos’s motto as a guiding force in tough moments. In 2022, he told Sportsmanor, “I always remember what my grandpa says to me. That moto is always with me,” a sentiment echoed in a 2022 X post by @ozmo_sasa. Against Sinner, Alcaraz’s mental clarity (*cabeza*), passion (*corazón*), and courage (*cojones*) shone through, as he hit 70 winners, including a decisive running forehand in the final tiebreak, despite 79 unforced errors, per Daily Mail. His grandfather, who built clay courts in El Palmar, Spain, has been a lifelong influence, per People.com.
Alcaraz’s post-match reflection underscored the mantra’s impact: “I tried to go point by point with a positive mind, with everything I had inside,” he told The Athletic, crediting his grandfather’s wisdom for his first-ever two-set deficit comeback. The win, hailed as one of the greatest Grand Slam finals, extended Alcaraz’s head-to-head lead over Sinner to 9-4, per ATPTour.com.
