Carlos Alcaraz has reached back-to-back finals at the start of the European clay season. He won the title in Monte Carlo and then fell short this past Sunday in the Barcelona Open final against Holger Rune. Just days away from his debut at the Madrid Masters 1000, the young Spanish star reflected on Rafael Nadal’s legacy.
“Having played a tournament like Monte Carlo and arriving in Barcelona with few days to adapt is really tough,” Alcaraz admitted, according to Tennis.com, after losing 7-6, 6-2 to Rune on Sunday.
Carlos dealt with discomfort in his upper right leg during the final, which required medical attention and was likely one of the reasons he wasn’t able to meet expectations and claim the title.
“I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week. You have to respect that,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging the Spanish legend’s ability to remain at the top for nearly two decades despite the intense physical demands that come with it.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz played together for Spain at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
“We admire Rafa for what he’s done on this swing. Winning everything consecutively is impossible,” added the World No. 3. “Once you experience it, you appreciate what Rafa did much more and how difficult it is to be 100% physically and mentally week after week.”
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How is Alcaraz ahead of the Madrid Masters 1000?
Following Sunday’s loss to Holger Rune in the final of the Barcelona Open, the new format of the Madrid Masters 1000 will allow Carlos Alcaraz more time to rest and recover from the physical issues that affected him in that decisive match.
“I’ll talk with my team, we’ll do some tests, but I’m confident it won’t affect me in Madrid,” Alcaraz said, making it clear that despite the natural concern any physical issue brings during such a crucial stretch of the season, he feels good and is optimistic about being fully fit for his next challenge.
Carlos Alcaraz’s path at the Madrid Open
Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his debut at the Madrid Masters 1000 on Friday, April 25, in the round of 64. His opponent has yet to be determined but will come from the match between Belgian Zizou Bergs and Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, who face off Thursday in the round of 128.
With Jannik Sinner suspended due to doping, the tournament’s top-seeded player will be Alexander Zverev, who reclaimed the World No. 2 ranking this week after winning the Bavarian Open—benefiting from Alcaraz’s loss in the Barcelona final. Carlos enters as the No. 2 seed in Madrid, and his potential path to the final includes heavyweights like Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper.
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