Alcaraz’s five-set semi-final victory over Jannik Sinner made him the youngest man to reach Slam finals on hard court, grass and the clay of Paris.
“I knew that, I checked my phone after the win,” said the Wimbledon champion. “Yeah, it’s something great. Breaking new records is great for me.
“Honestly, before the final it’s something that I really didn’t want to think about, but obviously that means that I’m playing good tennis on every surface, that is something that I really wanted to do when I started on the tour.
“So it’s a great feeling, but right now, I don’t want to think about it.”
The 21-year-old has timed his run to a first final in Paris perfectly following Nadal’s departure, possibly for the last time, at this tournament.
Nadal’s 14 wins across 19 years have defined the clay-court Grand Slam this century, but the Spanish influence stretches back to fellow former champions Juan Carlos Ferrero – now Alcaraz’s coach – Albert Costa and Carlos Moya.
Alcaraz said: “I have a special feeling about this tournament.
“I remember when I finished school, running to my home just to put the TV on and watch the matches here in the French Open.
“I watched a lot of matches. Of course Rafa Nadal dominating this tournament for, let’s say, 14, 15 years. It’s something unbelievable.
“I wanted to put my name on that list of the Spanish players who won this tournament.
“Not only Rafa. Ferrero, Moya, Costa, a lot of Spanish players, legends from our sport that won this tournament, I really want to put my name on that list, as well.”
