Category: Daniil Medvedev

Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

April 20, 2024

The Madrid Open will feature the top stars from the ATP and WTA tours.

Carlos Alcaraz has won the men’s title the last two successive years and is bidding to become the first player to win three in a row.

The women’s trophy was won by Aryna Sabalenka as she beat Iga Swiatek in the final.

Who’s playing the Madrid Open this season? Are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz, Swiatek and Sabalenka playing? When is the draw?

When is the Madrid Open?

The WTA main draw at the Madrid Open starts on Tuesday, April 23 and the ATP main draw starts on Wednesday, April 24.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day until midway through the second week. From May 1 to May 3, play begins at midday UK time, and on finals weekend play starts at 2.30pm.

There are also night sessions running from April 26 to May 3 which start at 7pm.

The women’s final will be held on Saturday, May 4 and the men’s final will be on Sunday, May 5.

When is the Madrid Open draw?

The women’s singles draw will be held on Sunday, April 21 at 5pm UK time and the men’s draw will be on Monday, April 22.

Who is playing the Madrid Open?

The Madrid Open was set to be the first clay event that both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played since the 2022 French Open – until Djokovic pulled out.

Djokovic has not given a reason for his withdrawal, but his absence means world No. 2 Jannik Sinner will be the top seed.

Nadal will be unseeded as he continues his comeback using a protected ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz’s status is unknown after he missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to an arm injury.

The world No. 3 is in Madrid ahead of the tournament, but said last week in Barcelona: “My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain.

“I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

Alcaraz hasn’t played since losing in the Miami Open quarter-finals.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will headline the women’s draw.

The pair contested the final in Madrid last year and as the top two seeds could meet again with the trophy on the line.

picture

Aryna Sabalenka won Madrid in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina will be among those looking to challenge for the title, while two-time champion Simona Halep and former runner-up Caroline Wozniacki have both got wildcards.

This will be Halep’s second tournament since returning to the tour after her doping ban was reduced from four years to nine months.

Naomi Osaka is also on the entry list but Emma Raducanu isn’t currently in the draw.

However, as she is not ranked high enough for entry, unless she gets a late wildcard she looks set to miss Madrid.

Djokovic set for Rome return

This is only the third time since 2015 that Djokovic has not won a title by this stage of the season.

The other two times were in 2022, when he was unable to play in Australia or the United States due to being unvaccinated for Covid-19, and 2018, when he had elbow surgery early in the year.

This season he had only played three tournaments before Monte Carlo, losing to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup, Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semis, and then the upset in the third round at Indian Wells against lucky loser Luca Nardi.

It looks like he is next going to play the Italian Open, which starts on May 8, as he builds up for the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympics.

“I want to reach my peak for Paris – that’s where I want to play my best tennis,” said Djokovic in Monte Carlo.

“Anything else is a bonus, so let’s see what happens.”

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Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

April 20, 2024

The Madrid Open will feature the top stars from the ATP and WTA tours.

Carlos Alcaraz has won the men’s title the last two successive years and is bidding to become the first player to win three in a row.

The women’s trophy was won by Aryna Sabalenka as she beat Iga Swiatek in the final.

Who’s playing the Madrid Open this season? Are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz, Swiatek and Sabalenka playing? When is the draw?

When is the Madrid Open?

The WTA main draw at the Madrid Open starts on Tuesday, April 23 and the ATP main draw starts on Wednesday, April 24.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day until midway through the second week. From May 1 to May 3, play begins at midday UK time, and on finals weekend play starts at 2.30pm.

There are also night sessions running from April 26 to May 3 which start at 7pm.

The women’s final will be held on Saturday, May 4 and the men’s final will be on Sunday, May 5.

When is the Madrid Open draw?

The women’s singles draw will be held on Sunday, April 21 at 5pm UK time and the men’s draw will be on Monday, April 22.

Who is playing the Madrid Open?

The Madrid Open was set to be the first clay event that both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played since the 2022 French Open – until Djokovic pulled out.

Djokovic has not given a reason for his withdrawal, but his absence means world No. 2 Jannik Sinner will be the top seed.

Nadal will be unseeded as he continues his comeback using a protected ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz’s status is unknown after he missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to an arm injury.

The world No. 3 is in Madrid ahead of the tournament, but said last week in Barcelona: “My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain.

“I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

Alcaraz hasn’t played since losing in the Miami Open quarter-finals.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will headline the women’s draw.

The pair contested the final in Madrid last year and as the top two seeds could meet again with the trophy on the line.

picture

Aryna Sabalenka won Madrid in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina will be among those looking to challenge for the title, while two-time champion Simona Halep and former runner-up Caroline Wozniacki have both got wildcards.

This will be Halep’s second tournament since returning to the tour after her doping ban was reduced from four years to nine months.

Naomi Osaka is also on the entry list but Emma Raducanu isn’t currently in the draw.

However, as she is not ranked high enough for entry, unless she gets a late wildcard she looks set to miss Madrid.

Djokovic set for Rome return

This is only the third time since 2015 that Djokovic has not won a title by this stage of the season.

The other two times were in 2022, when he was unable to play in Australia or the United States due to being unvaccinated for Covid-19, and 2018, when he had elbow surgery early in the year.

This season he had only played three tournaments before Monte Carlo, losing to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup, Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semis, and then the upset in the third round at Indian Wells against lucky loser Luca Nardi.

It looks like he is next going to play the Italian Open, which starts on May 8, as he builds up for the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympics.

“I want to reach my peak for Paris – that’s where I want to play my best tennis,” said Djokovic in Monte Carlo.

“Anything else is a bonus, so let’s see what happens.”

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+

‘Open your freaking eyes’ – Medvedev rages again in Monte Carlo defeat

April 11, 2024

Daniil Medvedev lost his temper for the second day running at the Monte Carlo Masters, yelling at the umpire to “open your freaking eyes” as he lost in the last 16 to Karen Khachanov.

His fellow Russian earned a 6-3 7-5 victory to move into the quarter-finals for the first time.

But it was Medvedev who drew all the attention, losing his cool in the 10th game of the second set as he launched his racquet into the back wall and unleashed another tirade at the umpire, which resulted in a point penalty.

After missing a set point at 5-4 up in the second set, the world No. 4 began to unravel and a disputed line call proved to be the final straw, with a bespectacled line judge a target of his anger.

“Who will take action? Yesterday the ball is out. It’s called in. This ball is out there. Who will take responsibility?” asked Medvedev during his match on Thursday.

“It’s not my responsibility to referee the matches. It’s this guy in the glasses. He doesn’t need glasses because he doesn’t see anything.”

He added: “Open your eyes. Open your freaking eyes. Do something. It’s out.”

Khachanov was able to block out the theatrics of his fellow countryman, refusing to drop a game from that point on.

“Mentally, even though I’ve lost a few hard matches to him on hard courts, I know he doesn’t like to play on clay and that gives me some extra confidence,” Khachanov said afterwards.

“Sometimes I know Daniil can lose his mind. Sometimes he uses it as a tool, but it can get out of control sometimes. I tried not to look at him or focus on him, and just serve it out.”

Khachanov will face fifth seed Alexander Zverev or No. 12 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas next for a place in the semi-finals.

Alex de Minaur also made it to the last eight, beating fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-4.

The 11th seed will face Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

‘Please don’t shout at him’ – Medvedev overcomes outburst to beat Monfils

April 10, 2024

Daniil Medvedev recovered from an angry mid-match outburst to beat Gael Monfils in his opening clay match of the season at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Medvedev was leading 6-2 1-2 when he was annoyed by two line calls on his baseline which he disagreed with.

He shouted at the line judge in frustration and umpire Mohamed Lahyani had to get down from his chair and plead with the world No. 4 to calm down.

“Please don’t shout at him. He [the line judge] can make a mistake as well,” Lahyani could be heard saying.

From 40-15 up, Medvedev was then broken and fell 4-1 behind as he vented his frustration again at the umpire during a change of ends.

However, Medvedev regathered himself and managed to reel off five games in a row to book his place in the next round.

Asked about the incident afterwards, Medvedev said: “I am happy I managed to at one moment try to stay calm, to get my composure, that’s what I wanted to do more this year.

“There are going to be moments when I still go crazy because…but I am 99% sure the ball was out. It’s a pity because I would have won the game and maybe I win 6-2, but I am happy that even from 4-1 I managed to come back win the set.”

Making only his second appearance in Monte Carlo since 2019, Medvedev looked solid from the start.

He broke in the fifth game after Monfils went long with a forehand and then went 5-2 up after a few errors from his opponent handed over another break.

Medvedev served out the set with a love hold and looked in command.

Monfils looked to be clinging on as he fought back from 15-40 to hold in the opening game of the second set and then saved three break points in his next service game.

But two controversial calls on the baseline looked like it could change the direction of the match.

First a shot from Monfils appeared to be incorrectly called out during a rally, then Medvedev was visibly angered when a line judge didn’t call a ball on his baseline out and after venting his frustration made two double faults and was broken after a lengthy rally.

With the crowd cheering on Monfils even more than before, the Frenchman moved 4-1 up.

But Medvedev regathered himself and reeled off five games in a row to seal the win.

Eighth seed Casper Ruud beat Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 6-4.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

‘Please don’t shout at him’ – Medvedev overcomes outburst to beat Monfils

April 10, 2024

Daniil Medvedev recovered from an angry mid-match outburst to beat Gael Monfils in his opening clay match of the season at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Medvedev was leading 6-2 1-2 when he was annoyed by two line calls on his baseline which he disagreed with.

He shouted at the line judge in frustration and umpire Mohamed Lahyani had to get down from his chair and plead with the world No. 4 to calm down.

“Please don’t shout at him. He [the line judge] can make a mistake as well,” Lahyani could be heard saying.

From 40-15 up, Medvedev was then broken and fell 4-1 behind as he vented his frustration again at the umpire during a change of ends.

However, Medvedev regathered himself and managed to reel off five games in a row to book his place in the next round.

Asked about the incident afterwards, Medvedev said: “I am happy I managed to at one moment try to stay calm, to get my composure, that’s what I wanted to do more this year.

“There are going to be moments when I still go crazy because…but I am 99% sure the ball was out. It’s a pity because I would have won the game and maybe I win 6-2, but I am happy that even from 4-1 I managed to come back win the set.”

Making only his second appearance in Monte Carlo since 2019, Medvedev looked solid from the start.

He broke in the fifth game after Monfils went long with a forehand and then went 5-2 up after a few errors from his opponent handed over another break.

Medvedev served out the set with a love hold and looked in command.

Monfils looked to be clinging on as he fought back from 15-40 to hold in the opening game of the second set and then saved three break points in his next service game.

But two controversial calls on the baseline looked like it could change the direction of the match.

First a shot from Monfils appeared to be incorrectly called out during a rally, then Medvedev was visibly angered when a line judge didn’t call a ball on his baseline out and after venting his frustration made two double faults and was broken after a lengthy rally.

With the crowd cheering on Monfils even more than before, the Frenchman moved 4-1 up.

But Medvedev regathered himself and reeled off five games in a row to seal the win.

Eighth seed Casper Ruud beat Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 6-4.

Stream the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Exclusive: Medvedev reveals ‘higher expectations’ on clay as he targets strong French Open

April 8, 2024

Daniil Medvedev has told Eurosport that he has “higher and higher expectations” on clay as he targets success at the French Open, the upcoming second Grand Slam of the year.

The 28-year-old Russian has a glittering palmares in the sport, with a US Open title to his name as well as making five other Grand Slam finals, winning the ATP Finals in 2020, and spending time as world No. 1.

However, Roland-Garros represents something of an anomaly on his record, having only got past the first round twice in seven attempts, with his best showing coming in 2021 when he reached the quarter-finals.

“I’m either way getting there step by step [on clay], Medvedev told Eurosport.

“I made quarters three years ago [at the French Open] playing actually some really good tennis, in my opinion. I won Rome last year.

“I still don’t like clay too much, just because my game doesn’t suit it perfectly.

“It’s much tougher for me to adapt to different circumstances, either bad bounces or a guy that has a good kick-serve and stuff like this.

“So a lot of small details I have to take care of, which I managed to do last year and some years before in Roland-Garros.

“So I actually have in a way higher and higher expectations for clay every year than before, which can sometimes be tricky but at the same time I like high expectations because when you have high expectations, it means you have the confidence.

“Sometimes you can lose and lose this confidence, but sometimes it can actually bring you higher.

“So I’m really looking forward to Roland-Garros. I feel like lately I managed to find a small edge at Grand Slams and play well starting from Wimbledon in 2023.

picture

Medvedev v Seyboth Wild – French Open highlights

“So I’m going to try to use it and try to have a good French Open this year.”

‘Jannik didn’t get tired’

That was Medvedev’s second successive loss to Sinner, after the Italian memorably came back from two sets down to win the Australian Open final back in January to claim his first major title.

picture

Watch: Top 5 points from Sinner and Medvedev’s Australian Open final epic

Medvedev opened up on how he reflected on that loss, and what he learned from it.

“I look back on it with experience, on the whole tournament,” he said. “On the final, to be honest – and I talked to all my team and we discussed it really well – not much I have to say.

“Good comeback from Jannik, tactically he changed just small things here and there. He managed to, let’s say, get me off the floor.

“The guys I played before physically they got tired, and I could use it. Jannik didn’t really get tired, didn’t really get too tight.

“So congrats to him, unfortunately for me. But I think, first of all, I’m able to do crazy things with the amount of hours I played on the court and to win crazy matches.

“But an experience for next time that maybe I can try to change my game here and there to try to make the matches faster, make the points faster.

“And if I manage to be in the final [again], arrive there fresher.”

Medvedev begins his Monte Carlo campaign on Tuesday with a clash against either Gael Monfils or Jordan Thompson.

Stream and watch the 2024 French Open live between May 26 and June 9 on discovery+ and Eurosport

Exclusive: Medvedev reveals ‘higher expectations’ on clay as he seeks to improve French Open record

April 8, 2024

Daniil Medvedev has told Eurosport that he has “higher and higher expectations” on clay as he targets success at the French Open, the upcoming second Grand Slam of the year.

The 28-year-old Russian has a glittering palmares in the sport, with a US Open title to his name as well as making five other Grand Slam finals, winning the ATP Finals in 2020, and spending time as world No. 1.

However, Roland-Garros represents something of an anomaly on his record, having only got past the first round twice in seven attempts, with his best showing coming in 2021 when he reached the quarter-finals.

“I’m either way getting there step by step [on clay], Medvedev told Eurosport.

“I made quarters three years ago [at the French Open] playing actually some really good tennis, in my opinion. I won Rome last year.

“I still don’t like clay too much, just because my game doesn’t suit it perfectly.

“It’s much tougher for me to adapt to different circumstances, either bad bounces or a guy that has a good kick-serve and stuff like this.

“So a lot of small details I have to take care of, which I managed to do last year and some years before in Roland-Garros.

“So I actually have in a way higher and higher expectations for clay every year than before, which can sometimes be tricky but at the same time I like high expectations because when you have high expectations, it means you have the confidence.

“Sometimes you can lose and lose this confidence, but sometimes it can actually bring you higher.

“So I’m really looking forward to Roland-Garros. I feel like lately I managed to find a small edge at Grand Slams and play well starting from Wimbledon in 2023.

picture

Medvedev v Seyboth Wild – French Open highlights

“So I’m going to try to use it and try to have a good French Open this year.”

‘Jannik didn’t get tired’

That was Medvedev’s second successive loss to Sinner, after the Italian memorably came back from two sets down to win the Australian Open final back in January to claim his first major title.

picture

Watch: Top 5 points from Sinner and Medvedev’s Australian Open final epic

Medvedev opened up on how he reflected on that loss, and what he learned from it.

“I look back on it with experience, on the whole tournament,” he said. “On the final, to be honest – and I talked to all my team and we discussed it really well – not much I have to say.

“Good comeback from Jannik, tactically he changed just small things here and there. He managed to, let’s say, get me off the floor.

“The guys I played before physically they got tired, and I could use it. Jannik didn’t really get tired, didn’t really get too tight.

“So congrats to him, unfortunately for me. But I think, first of all, I’m able to do crazy things with the amount of hours I played on the court and to win crazy matches.

“But an experience for next time that maybe I can try to change my game here and there to try to make the matches faster, make the points faster.

“And if I manage to be in the final [again], arrive there fresher.”

Medvedev begins his Monte Carlo campaign on Tuesday with a clash against either Gael Monfils or Jordan Thompson.

Stream and watch the 2024 French Open live between May 26 and June 9 on discovery+ and Eurosport

Sinner dominates Medvedev in stunning display to reach Miami Open final

March 29, 2024

Jannik Sinner produced a near-perfect display to ease his way past Daniil Medvedev on Friday and reach the Miami Open final.

In a replay of last year’s final which Medvedev won, Sinner got his revenge with a 6-1 6-2 win for a fifth successive victory over his Russian opponent.

Speaking on court after the match, Sinner said he felt “very happy” with his performance against an out-of-sorts Medvedev.

“I felt great on the court today,” he said. “Usually, the more you go on in a tournament, the more comfortable I feel.

“He [Medvedev] made a lot of mistakes, which he usually doesn’t make. I just took the chance. I was expecting a really tough match.

“If he breaks me in the first set or in the second set, it’s already very different.”

Sinner stormed his way through a speedy first set, where he landed back-to-back breaks to take a five-game lead.

Medvedev finally got on the board after 30 minutes to avoid a bagel, but it was too little too late as the Italian quickly served out the opener with a hold to love.

In the final game of the opening set, Medvedev adopted the unusual tactic of retreating from the baseline to help combat Sinner’s destructive serves, but it did little to help as the world No. 3 continued his relentless form.

Medvedev was struggling just as much with the ball in hand, as Sinner kickstarted the second set equally as impressively as he concluded the first, with a break to love as the Russian began to grow frustrated.

Another crushing game from the Australian Open champion Sinner followed, as he found himself 2-0 up in the second set after just seven minutes.

It was not until the second point in the third game that Medvedev finally won a point on serve, as he managed to halve the deficit to keep himself in contention.

Sinner produced a series of monstrous serves to help restore his two-game lead, but Medvedev showed signs of improvement as he began to slowly grow and compete in the match for the first time.

However, a defeat looked inevitable for Medvedev as quickly as he looked to be back in it, as the excellent Sinner sealed another break for 4-1 to put himself within touching distance of the final.

After a brilliant rally with equally impressive efforts from the pair, Sinner moved to within a game of victory before Medvedev held serve to stay alive.

But Sinner served out to wrap up the match after one hour and nine minutes, as his stunning 2024 continued.

He will play either Alexander Zverev or Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday’s final as he seeks a 13th ATP title and the world No. 2 spot.

Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 French Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Best in the world, but is Alcaraz favourite for the French Open?

May 9, 2022

There was an amusing exchange after Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling Madrid Open semi-final when the red-hot 19-year-old was asked who the best player in the world is.

“Well, Djokovic, because he’s No. 1,” was Alcaraz’s answer.

Pressed again on who is the best player in the world at this moment, Alcaraz said: “I’m not going to tell you that. The one that I know, I’m not going to tell you. I was able to beat No. 1, but still I’m ranked No. 9. I still have eight players in front of me to be No. 1.”

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Eight is now down to five after Alcaraz won his second Masters title in Madrid. And any debate over his current standing in the men’s game seems less challenging to answer.

“Right now you are the best player in the world,” said Zverev after getting outplayed by Alcaraz in the Madrid Open final.
Since losing his opener in Monte Carlo, Alcaraz, 19, has won 10 matches in a row to secure titles in Barcelona and Madrid. Even though he beat both Nadal and Djokovic in Madrid, his demolition of Zverev was arguably Alcaraz’s most impressive performance. Zverev, who blasted the ATP afterwards for “disgraceful” scheduling that left him short of sleep, has won Madrid twice, including last year, and had never lost on the main court. He was completely outplayed by Alcaraz in a one-sided 62-minute final.

The stats behind Alcaraz’s stunning season are incredible:

  • Youngest player to beat both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
  • First player to beat Nadal and Djokovic in same clay event
  • Youngest top-10 player since Nadal in 2005
  • Youngest top-20 player since Andrei Medvedev in 1993
  • Second-youngest player to win two Masters titles (Nadal, 18, in 2005)
  • Youngest player to win five titles since Nadal in 2004-05
  • Youngest player since 1990 to beat three top-five players at same event
  • A 5-0 record in finals

Has Alcaraz elevated himself into favourite for the French Open?

There’s little to count against him, except he hasn’t yet done it at a Grand Slam. He’s won some long matches on the ATP Tour, including the two longest this year, but two-week majors with potential five-set battles against Nadal and Djokovic are another challenge. Alcaraz has only played in the main draw at five Grand Slams and has only made it past the third round once. Few players have won a major at the sixth attempt, although Nadal did so at the French Open in 2005.

What’s so impressive about Alcaraz is that his game already seems to have it all. When he started making waves last year his raw power and attacking approach stood out. Add to that arguably the best drop shot on tour, quick movement around the court, a strong net game, and a smart mind, and you have a seriously good player. The power is there still – against Nadal and Djokovic he hit a combined 88 winners compared to 34 from his opponents – but Alcaraz is also thinking more about how to win points. He caused Djokovic big problems with his kick serve and was hugely successful when serve and volleying in Madrid, winning 17 of 18 points. He also has the hunger to continue to get better.

Zverev takes aim at ATP scheduling following loss to Alcaraz in Madrid Open final

“I think that I have to improve everything still. I have always said that you can improve everything. You never reach a limit,” he said after winning in Madrid.

“Look at Rafa, Djokovic, [Roger] Federer, all of them improve and they have things to improve. That’s why they are so good, and that’s why they are so much [of the] time up there, because they don’t stop. They keep on working and improving.

“That’s what I want to do. I want to keep on progressing. I have really good shots. I don’t say that I don’t have them, but I know that I can improve them and they can be even better.”

Just as players have had to work out ways to try and beat Nadal and Djokovic in the past, now the two greats will have to study how they can conquer Alcaraz. Neither will be sitting still after Madrid.

Nadal and Djokovic are set to play this week in Rome, where either one or both of them have reached the final every year since 2005, while Alcaraz will be taking a week off as he prepares for the French Open. Nadal will take encouragement from the fact he pushed Alcaraz close in Madrid, even though he is working his way back from a rib injury and the quicker conditions do not suit his game as much as in Rome and Paris. Djokovic looks to be building momentum and produced his best performances of the season before going down to Alcaraz in three sets. Had he converted more than just one of six break-point chances against the 19-year-old then the final result might have been different.

Whether Alcaraz is the favourite for the French Open, his stunning rise represents a serious threat to Djokovic and Nadal as they try to sweep up more Grand Slam titles. Nadal said it’s “obvious” there is now a changing of the guard after losing to his fellow Spaniard, and Alcaraz might soon move above Daniil Medvedev, Zverev and Tsitsipas as the biggest rival to Djokovic and Nadal at majors. It will be fascinating to see whether world No. 2 Medvedev, who is returning from injury next week in Geneva, Tsitsipas, who is 0-3 against Alcaraz, and Zverev, who not that long ago was being talked about as a member of the new ‘Big Three’, can counter.

All three have question marks ahead of the French Open, while Alcaraz is bursting with confidence.

“I think I’m ready to win a Grand Slam,” said Alcaraz after winning Madrid. “I think I’m ready to go for it. It’s a goal for me this year, to try to get my first Grand Slam. I’m going to work for it, let’s see what’s going to happen at Roland-Garros.”

Last year Alcaraz became the youngest player since Djokovic in 2005 to win a match at the French Open, and the youngest player to reach the third round since 1992. If he wins in Paris this year he would be the first male teenager to lift a Grand Slam title since Nadal won the French Open in 2005.

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