Now, just as 14-time French Open champion Nadal did, 21-year-old Alcaraz has a chance to create his own tournament legacy.
The Spaniard has already won two of the sport’s four biggest events – the 2022 US Open and Wimbledon last year – and takes on Germany’s Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s Roland Garros final.
Alcaraz’s five-set semi-final victory over incoming world number one Jannik Sinner made him the youngest man to reach Grand Slam finals on all three surfaces: hard court, grass and now the Paris clay.
A win on Sunday would add his name to a long list of Spanish French Open champions, which, as well as Nadal, also includes his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, Albert Costa, Carlos Moya and Sergi Bruguera, who have all triumphed in the past 30 years.
“I have a special feeling about this tournament,” said Alcaraz. “I remember when I finished school, running home just to put the TV on and watch the matches here in the French Open.
“I watched a lot of matches – of course Nadal dominating this tournament for, let’s say, 14, 15 years. It’s something unbelievable and I wanted to put my name on that list of the Spanish players who won this tournament.”
The match against Zverev takes place from 13:30 BST on Sunday, with commentary available on 5 Live Sport and the BBC Sport website and app.
