PARIS — At the French Open on Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz displayed both his athletic prowess and integrity in a match against Ben Shelton. The intensity on the court remained high as Alcaraz, the defending champion, faced off against Shelton in a fourth-round encounter that was as thrilling as it was entertaining.
Early in the second set, a peculiar incident unfolded that showcased Alcaraz’s sportsmanship. Shelton launched a passing shot that seemed out of Alcaraz’s range at the net. In a surprising move, Alcaraz lunged and, by a stroke of luck, made contact with the ball while his racket was airborne. The point was initially awarded to Alcaraz, but he soon approached the chair umpire to confess that he wasn’t holding the racket at the moment of contact, a violation of tennis rules. Consequently, he forfeited the point to his opponent.
This moment of honesty drew applause from the spectators at Court Philippe-Chatrier, highlighting the respect and integrity Alcaraz brought to the sport. Reflecting on the moment, Alcaraz said, “I thought ‘OK, I could not say anything.’ But I would have felt guilty if I didn’t. It’s just about the respect we have for each other, and sports should be about this honesty.”
The second set was a turning point, as Alcaraz’s act of sportsmanship occurred at a potentially critical juncture. Instead of maintaining a 40-30 lead on his serve, Alcaraz found himself at 30-40, giving Shelton his first break point opportunity of the match. Nonetheless, Alcaraz managed to save that break point and emerged victorious with a 7-6 (8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win, showcasing his skill and determination.
Shelton, with his formidable serve, clocked speeds up to 143 mph, challenging Alcaraz throughout the hard-fought match. Although Shelton had chances to capture the first set, Alcaraz’s resilience was unyielding as he clinched the set after saving three set points against him.
The match did not lack excitement as both players, only 22 years old, treated the audience to a display of powerful shots. Shelton even managed to take the third set, releasing his emotions with a celebratory cheer after Alcaraz’s forehand hit the net.
In the fourth set, Alcaraz gained momentum, securing a vital break point with a well-placed drop shot winner. Pushing through fatigue and the challenges posed by his opponent’s aggressive play, Alcaraz sealed the match victory after more than three hours on the clay court, marking his 11th consecutive win at Roland-Garros.
Alcaraz now faces No. 12 seed Tommy Paul of the U.S. in the quarterfinals, with expectations running high for another exhilarating encounter.
This match not only underscored Alcaraz’s exceptional talent but also highlighted the significance of sportsmanship and honesty in tennis, reinforcing the values that define truly great athletes.