Carlos Alcaraz could face missing out on an enormous chunk of his French Open prize money after his remarkable victory over Jannik Sinner.
The 22-year-old defeated the world No 1 in an all-time classic five-and-a-half-hour contest at Roland Garros on Sunday.
He came back from two sets down, defending three Championship points, before winning in the fifth set to seal his second consecutive French Open title.
The Spaniard’s fifth grand slam title earned him €2.55million (£2.13m) in prize money.
However, he could be set to lose a huge portion of his winnings due to heavy French taxation laws.
He could reportedly lose approximately 30 per cent of his earnings, potentially around £639,000.
Carlos Alcaraz could be set to miss out on an enormous chunk of his French Open prize money
Carlos Alcaraz’s fifth grand slam title victory earned him €2.55million (£2.13m) in prize money
The 22-year-old dramatically beat world No 1 Jannik Sinner in a five set all time classic final
Tennis stars are taxed differently to many sports, with players paying tax depending on location they earn the money in regardless of their nationality, according to My Tennis HQ.
‘After the players pay taxes to the local government where the prize money was earned, they do not have to pay income tax on it again when they return back home,’ the publication explains.
French Open stars split a prize pot of £47.3m, with runner up Sinner receieving €1.27 million (£1.07M).
Meanwhile, Alcaraz has already earned over £30m in career earnings, picking up £2.8m this season before his Roland Garros prize.
Despite his enormous windfall, Alcaraz previously admitted he doesn’t spend big after every win.
Speaking to the Tennis Channel ahead of the French Open, the 22-year-old said: ‘Maybe not after every big win, but for example, at the Grand Slams, if I reach the semi-finals, I like to buy myself a new pair of sneakers.
He added: ‘If I feel like I had a good season, at the end of the year I’ll buy myself a nice watch.’
The Spaniard celebrated with ball boys and girls after winning his second French Open in a row
Alcaraz came back from two sets down on Sunday to win his second consecutive French Open
World No 1 Jannik Sinner, who had three Championship points, earned €1.27 million (£1.07M)
Alcaraz celebrated his stunning French Open win in a heartwarming moment with Roland Garros ball kids – after struggling to express how he had done it.
‘I didn’t know what I had to do to win this match at three match points down in the fourth,’ said the No 2 seed after beating Jannik Sinner to defend his crown.
‘Being two sets to love down against the world No 1, the level Jannik was playing…
‘I just tried to keep it going, not thinking about the result, not thinking about anything, just fighting point after point. At the end of the fifth set I was playing with my heart.’
In a fitting end to a jaw-dropping, five-hour marathon on Philippe Chatrier, Alcaraz took the time to share his success with a group of ball kids.
A video posted by the official Roland Garros account on X showed the Spaniard being given a round of applause by ball kids lined up on either side of a staircase.
He couldn’t help but smile as he made his way down and then led the youngsters in an impromptu dance session, in which he pogoed on the spot.
After one final hug, a beaming Alcaraz disappeared into the bowels of the venue.
