Who were the Last Three Men to Win Roland Garros and Wimbledon Back-to-Back?
As Roland Garros 2026 commenced, Alexander Zverev found himself on a practice court in Paris, faced with unexpected developments: tournament favorite Jannik Sinner had been knocked out in the third round by the relatively obscure Juan Manuel Cerundolo from Argentina. This shocking turn of events was soon followed by Novak Djokovic’s defeat to the young sensation Joao Fonseca, while the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was absent from the tournament altogether. This series of upsets opened a significant door for Zverev, providing him with a unique opportunity to chase his first Grand Slam title.
However, Zverev carried the burden of three previous Grand Slam final defeats, having fallen short at the 2020 US Open, the 2024 French Open, and the 2025 Australian Open. Each time, he narrowly missed his chance, leaving him with the feeling that the “[Like tennis, poker is] a competition. You need to control your emotions, you need to be focused all the time.” on his aspirations.
Finally, Zverev seized the moment, overcoming the rising Italian talent Flavio Cobolli in a thrilling final match. With this victory lifting a longstanding weight off his shoulders, the pressing question loomed: could Zverev maintain this momentum heading into Wimbledon? Let’s explore the last three men to achieve the remarkable feat of winning both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in succession.
Rafael Nadal — 2010
The path Rafael Nadal traveled leading into 2010 is often overlooked. After claiming four consecutive titles at Roland Garros with ease, he encountered an unexpected setback in the fourth round of 2009 against Robin Söderling. Roger Federer capitalized on Nadal’s absence and claimed the title, completing his career Grand Slam. Subsequently, knee tendinitis sidelined Nadal from Wimbledon that year, forcing him to witness the sport evolve from the sidelines.
Returning to Roland Garros in 2010 as the second seed, just behind Federer, Nadal was resolute. He delivered an exceptional performance, not dropping a single set throughout the tournament—a remarkable achievement he had previously accomplished only once in 2008. Nadal triumphed over Nicolás Almagro in the quarterfinals and Jürgen Melzer in the semifinals, setting the stage for a rematch with Söderling in the final. This time, Nadal secured victory with a score of 6-4, 6-2, 6-4, showcasing his unwavering determination and focus.
Nadal’s ability to confront past adversities without emotional turmoil is a rare trait. He credits this mindset to his experiences at the poker table, where he has competed seriously, even besting renowned player Daniel Negreanu at a charity event in 2013. He once explained, “Like tennis, poker is a competition. You need to control your emotions, you need to be focused all the time.” This same mental strength enabled him to face Söderling and clinch the title with confidence.
Riding this momentum, Nadal arrived at Wimbledon as the top seed, boasting a remarkable 13-match winning streak on grass. He faced Tomáš Berdych in the final, who had previously eliminated Federer in the quarterfinals, and easily won 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. This triumph marked Nadal’s second Wimbledon title and eighth major overall, followed by victory at the US Open six weeks later. He would ultimately secure 14 titles at Roland Garros and reach the Wimbledon finals in 2011 and 2019, though the elusive Channel Slam remained just out of reach.
Novak Djokovic — 2021
In 2021, Novak Djokovic set his sights on a historic triumph at Roland Garros, seeking to win the tournament without Nadal’s absence—who was sidelined with injury during Djokovic’s 2016 victory. A second title in Paris would elevate Djokovic to the rank of the first male player in the Open Era to win every major twice, but facing a healthy Nadal on his home turf represented uncharted territory.
In a crucial semifinal, Djokovic managed to defeat Nadal, marking only the third time Nadal had lost in 108 matches at Roland Garros, and it was Djokovic’s first semifinal defeat in 14 appearances. Two days later, he faced Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final, initially trailing by two sets. However, Djokovic mounted a remarkable comeback, winning 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, which secured his 19th Grand Slam title. He regarded both matches as among his finest performances.
As Wimbledon loomed, Djokovic was thrust into conversations regarding the calendar Grand Slam, boasting an impeccable 27-0 record in Grand Slam events for the year. He smoothly dispatched opponents including Draper, Anderson, Kudla, Garín, and Fucsovics. In the semifinals, he saved ten break points to defeat Denis Shapovalov 7-6, 7-5, 7-5, before clinching his sixth Wimbledon title against Matteo Berrettini, marking his 20th major and equaling the record held by Federer and Nadal.
Carlos Alcaraz — 2024
By the time Carlos Alcaraz arrived at Roland Garros in 2024, he sported a protective sleeve on his forearm and voiced concerns about fully utilizing his forehand due to previous injuries that had forced him to withdraw from major tournaments. Nevertheless, he overcame these obstacles, defeating Jannik Sinner in five sets after coming back from a two sets to one deficit. In the final, he faced Zverev and won decisively with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, signaling that his earlier struggles were merely a temporary setback.
At Wimbledon, Alcaraz made a bold statement as the defending champion, having triumphed over Djokovic in a five-set thriller the previous year. He navigated through the tournament, defeating players like Lajal, Vukic, Tiafoe, and Paul before facing Djokovic once more, who had recently undergone meniscus surgery. Alcaraz’s emphatic victory in the final, scoring 6-2, 6-2, 7-6, highlighted his dominance, as Djokovic struggled to find his rhythm throughout the match. At just 21 years old, Alcaraz became the second player in the Open Era to secure victories in his first four Grand Slam finals.
