“When he’s on a roll, you just can’t beat him”: Real Madrid star praises Carlos Alcaraz after Laureus nomination and ‘amazing’ French Open final

Carlos Alcaraz’s nomination for the 2026 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award was confirmed just a day ago. Within hours, praise arrived from beyond the tennis circuit. England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham offered an emphatic endorsement of the Spaniard, reflecting on Alcaraz’s French Open triumph and describing him as a player with “the perfect balance of everything you need at the top level.”

Alcaraz, who finished 2025 as ATP World No.1, secured two Grand Slam titles last season, winning both Roland Garros and the US Open. In Paris, he delivered one of the most dramatic finals in recent memory, saving match points before overcoming Jannik Sinner in five sets — after more than five hours — to claim his fifth major title and second French Open crown.

That rivalry defined the men’s season. Sinner lifted the Australian Open and Wimbledon trophies, while Alcaraz prevailed in Paris and New York. The two now stand as joint standard-bearers for a new era in men’s tennis and are both nominated for the Laureus award, underlining the sport’s prominence on the global stage.

Bellingham’s comments centred specifically on the Roland Garros final, a match he watched during an international break. The English footballer is a friend of Alcaraz, and they have shared photos together at dinners on several occasions. Back in 2024, Alcaraz himself presented the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award, precisely one year after winning it for his remarkable first breakthrough on the Tour.

Bellingham revealed that Alcaraz’s Paris performance had drawn collective attention within his own camp. The French Open final became required viewing, even for elite footballers accustomed to high-stakes environments. “I was on the international break for one of them, the amazing final at the French Open, and there were like 30 or 40 of us — staff and players — gathered around a TV, around a projector, watching him.”

That match saw Alcaraz pushed to the brink. Facing Sinner, he trailed deep into the contest and saved match points before shifting momentum. His recovery was built on aggressive returning, controlled baseline exchanges and composure in decisive moments, ultimately sealing a five-set victory that reinforced his status as the world’s leading player.

Bellingham focused less on tactics and more on attributes. He described Alcaraz as a “marvel” and highlighted the combination of intensity and clarity that defines his game. “He’s a marvel. Like I said, the way he plays the game — the ferociousness, but the quality as well — it’s the same. It’s like a perfect balance of everything you need at the top level. He’s got the poise mentally.”

Alcaraz’s nomination places him among a distinguished field. Alongside Sinner, the shortlist includes Ousmane Dembélé, who led Paris Saint-Germain to six titles and claimed the Ballon d’Or; pole vault world record-holder Mondo Duplantis; Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar; and seven-time MotoGP world champion Marc Márquez.

Tennis stands out as the only sport with two nominees in the men’s category, a reflection of the impact Alcaraz and Sinner have had over the past 12 months. Their split of the four Grand Slam titles shaped the narrative of 2025, echoing earlier eras dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Tennis players have historically dominated the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, accounting for twelve victories overall. Roger Federer leads the list with six titles (2005, 06’, 07’, 08’, 18’ and 20’), while Novak Djokovic has won five times (2012, 15’, 16’, 19’ and 24’). Rafael Nadal has claimed the honour twice (2011 and 21’). By comparison, athletes from track and field and Formula One drivers have won the award four times each, while golfers have lifted the trophy on two occasions.

Bellingham’s final assessment underlined the difficulty opponents face when Alcaraz reaches peak level, particularly in best-of-five formats where resilience is tested repeatedly. “When he’s on a roll, it looks like you just can’t beat him.”

Beyond performance, Bellingham also pointed to character. In an era where scrutiny extends far beyond the court, Alcaraz’s conduct has been widely praised by peers and rivals alike. “Yeah, he’s a credit to himself and his family. He’s amazing, and obviously a really good guy as well.”