Category: Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz completed another fairy-tale week in his fledgling career as he overwhelmed reigning champion Alexander Zverev to win the Madrid Open.

Speaking during the trophy presentation, Zverev saluted Alcaraz’s 2022 exploits.

Reflecting on his sensational run in the Spanish capital, Alcaraz admitted it was a very special moment and revealed that growing up watching five-time champion Nadal at the tournament was an inspiration for him.

“It feels great to be able to beat these kind of players; two of the best players in the history and Zverev at No. 3 in the world,” he told Amazon Prime.

“I would say this is the best week of my life, so I’m going to enjoy this tournament a lot.”

He added: “Watching Rafa lift this trophy so many (times over the) years, gave me the power to work hard for this moment. It is a great moment for me. This is the first tournament I watched when I was a kid so lifting this trophy was so emotional.”

It was Alcaraz who made the early moves with Zverev forced to save the first break point of the match with an ace down the T to level at 2-2 following a trio of unforced forehand errors from the No. 2 seed.

The Spaniard continued to dictate the rallies with his full repertoire of shot-making and he made the breakthrough in devastating style when he dismantled the world No. 3’s serve to break to love and snare a 4-2 lead.

There would be no let-up either as the teenager confidently served out a 31-minute set to love to send the home crowd into raptures.

Zverev came into the final with a 19-2 record in Madrid, including nine straight wins, but he simply had no answer to the power, athleticism and tactical awareness of his opponent.

It was no surprise when Alcaraz broke again for a 2-1 lead early in Set 2 as he conjured up what is now a trademark drop shot to completely outfox the two-time champion and take the game to love.

Zverev was beginning to look lost and he all-but imploded with a couple of double faults and two awful volleys into the net to offer up the double break opportunity. Alcaraz duly seized it with a sumptuous lob and broke again on a fourth match point to claim his seventh top-10 win in a row.

The victory also sees Alcaraz become the first player to beat three top-four players at an ATP Masters 1000 event since David Nalbandian defeated Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer in the Spanish capital back in 2007.

Alcaraz was already guaranteed to rise to sixth in the world rankings on Monday but he will also move up to second place in the Pepperstone ATP Race To Turin, just 70 points behind Nadal in top spot.

Carlos Alcaraz completed another fairy-tale week in his fledgling career as he overwhelmed reigning champion Alexander Zverev to win the Madrid Open.

Speaking during the trophy presentation, Zverev saluted Alcaraz’s 2022 exploits.

Reflecting on his sensational run in the Spanish capital, Alcaraz admitted it was a very special moment and revealed that growing up watching five-time champion Nadal at the tournament was an inspiration for him.

“It feels great to be able to beat these kind of players; two of the best players in the history and Zverev at No. 3 in the world,” he told Amazon Prime.

“I would say this is the best week of my life, so I’m going to enjoy this tournament a lot.”

He added: “Watching Rafa lift this trophy so many (times over the) years, gave me the power to work hard for this moment. It is a great moment for me. This is the first tournament I watched when I was a kid so lifting this trophy was so emotional.”

It was Alcaraz who made the early moves with Zverev forced to save the first break point of the match with an ace down the T to level at 2-2 following a trio of unforced forehand errors from the No. 2 seed.

The Spaniard continued to dictate the rallies with his full repertoire of shot-making and he made the breakthrough in devastating style when he dismantled the world No. 3’s serve to break to love and snare a 4-2 lead.

There would be no let-up either as the teenager confidently served out a 31-minute set to love to send the home crowd into raptures.

Zverev came into the final with a 19-2 record in Madrid, including nine straight wins, but he simply had no answer to the power, athleticism and tactical awareness of his opponent.

It was no surprise when Alcaraz broke again for a 2-1 lead early in Set 2 as he conjured up what is now a trademark drop shot to completely outfox the two-time champion and take the game to love.

Zverev was beginning to look lost and he all-but imploded with a couple of double faults and two awful volleys into the net to offer up the double break opportunity. Alcaraz duly seized it with a sumptuous lob and broke again on a fourth match point to claim his seventh top-10 win in a row.

The victory also sees Alcaraz become the first player to beat three top-four players at an ATP Masters 1000 event since David Nalbandian defeated Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer in the Spanish capital back in 2007.

Alcaraz was already guaranteed to rise to sixth in the world rankings on Monday but he will also move up to second place in the Pepperstone ATP Race To Turin, just 70 points behind Nadal in top spot.

Carlos Alcaraz told Eurosport the French Open will be a “good challenge” for him after reaching the Madrid Open final.

Although he is delighted to be through to a second Masters final this year, the 19-year-old says that playing the likes of Djokovic and Nadal over five sets will pose a different test in his pursuit of a maiden major title.

“It feels great, it means a lot to me [to beat Djokovic],” he exclusively told Eurosport. “It means the hard work I do every day means a lot to me.

“I’m ready to play in Roland-Garros. I think I’m able to get great results in Grand Slams so I’m thinking for tomorrow for the final. But after this tournament I think Roland-Garros is a good challenge for me.

“It’s a bit different [playing five sets]. Playing best-of-five means more time on court, you have to be more focused during more time and playing these type of players is tougher, but we are ready.”

Explaining why he prefers to be called ‘Carlitos’ rather than Carlos he said: “Carlitos everyone calls me that since I was a kid and I am still a kid so… Carlitos!”

The world No. 3 says he is not the favourite going into the match despite beating Alcaraz in Acapulco and Vienna this year and having a head-to-head record of 2-0.

“In general Carlos is one of the best players in the world right now,” Zverev told Eurosport.

“He won Miami, Barcelona and he’s winning almost every week so it is not going to be an easy match that’s for sure but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I would say so right now with how past results were he’s an up and coming player and I’ve struggled this year but that’s hopefully in the past now.”

Zverev says he was delighted to overcome Tsitsipas who he labelled the current best clay-court player in the world before the match.

“At the end of the day he is one of the best in the world and I’m happy with how I played, I’m happy with my match. I think I served well today and in general I feel like I managed the match well.”

– – –

Carlos Alcaraz told Eurosport the French Open will be a “good challenge” for him after reaching the Madrid Open final.

Although he is delighted to be through to a second Masters final this year, the 19-year-old says that playing the likes of Djokovic and Nadal over five sets will pose a different test in his pursuit of a maiden major title.

“It feels great, it means a lot to me [to beat Djokovic],” he exclusively told Eurosport. “It means the hard work I do every day means a lot to me.

“I’m ready to play in Roland-Garros. I think I’m able to get great results in Grand Slams so I’m thinking for tomorrow for the final. But after this tournament I think Roland-Garros is a good challenge for me.

“It’s a bit different [playing five sets]. Playing best-of-five means more time on court, you have to be more focused during more time and playing these type of players is tougher, but we are ready.”

Explaining why he prefers to be called ‘Carlitos’ rather than Carlos he said: “Carlitos everyone calls me that since I was a kid and I am still a kid so… Carlitos!”

The world No. 3 says he is not the favourite going into the match despite beating Alcaraz in Acapulco and Vienna this year and having a head-to-head record of 2-0.

“In general Carlos is one of the best players in the world right now,” Zverev told Eurosport.

“He won Miami, Barcelona and he’s winning almost every week so it is not going to be an easy match that’s for sure but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I would say so right now with how past results were he’s an up and coming player and I’ve struggled this year but that’s hopefully in the past now.”

Zverev says he was delighted to overcome Tsitsipas who he labelled the current best clay-court player in the world before the match.

“At the end of the day he is one of the best in the world and I’m happy with how I played, I’m happy with my match. I think I served well today and in general I feel like I managed the match well.”

– – –

Carlos Alcaraz told Eurosport the French Open will be a “good challenge” for him after reaching the Madrid Open final.

Although he is delighted to be through to a second Masters final this year, the 19-year-old says that playing the likes of Djokovic and Nadal over five sets will pose a different test in his pursuit of a maiden major title.

“It feels great, it means a lot to me [to beat Djokovic],” he exclusively told Eurosport. “It means the hard work I do every day means a lot to me.

“I’m ready to play in Roland-Garros. I think I’m able to get great results in Grand Slams so I’m thinking for tomorrow for the final. But after this tournament I think Roland-Garros is a good challenge for me.

“It’s a bit different [playing five sets]. Playing best-of-five means more time on court, you have to be more focused during more time and playing these type of players is tougher, but we are ready.”

Explaining why he prefers to be called ‘Carlitos’ rather than Carlos he said: “Carlitos everyone calls me that since I was a kid and I am still a kid so… Carlitos!”

The world No. 3 says he is not the favourite going into the match despite beating Alcaraz in Acapulco and Vienna this year and having a head-to-head record of 2-0.

“In general Carlos is one of the best players in the world right now,” Zverev told Eurosport.

“He won Miami, Barcelona and he’s winning almost every week so it is not going to be an easy match that’s for sure but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I would say so right now with how past results were he’s an up and coming player and I’ve struggled this year but that’s hopefully in the past now.”

Zverev says he was delighted to overcome Tsitsipas who he labelled the current best clay-court player in the world before the match.

“At the end of the day he is one of the best in the world and I’m happy with how I played, I’m happy with my match. I think I served well today and in general I feel like I managed the match well.”

– – –

Carlos Alcaraz told Eurosport the French Open will be a “good challenge” for him after reaching the Madrid Open final.

Although he is delighted to be through to a second Masters final this year, the 19-year-old says that playing the likes of Djokovic and Nadal over five sets will pose a different test in his pursuit of a maiden major title.

“It feels great, it means a lot to me [to beat Djokovic],” he exclusively told Eurosport. “It means the hard work I do every day means a lot to me.

“I’m ready to play in Roland-Garros. I think I’m able to get great results in Grand Slams so I’m thinking for tomorrow for the final. But after this tournament I think Roland-Garros is a good challenge for me.

“It’s a bit different [playing five sets]. Playing best-of-five means more time on court, you have to be more focused during more time and playing these type of players is tougher, but we are ready.”

Explaining why he prefers to be called ‘Carlitos’ rather than Carlos he said: “Carlitos everyone calls me that since I was a kid and I am still a kid so… Carlitos!”

The world No. 3 says he is not the favourite going into the match despite beating Alcaraz in Acapulco and Vienna this year and having a head-to-head record of 2-0.

“In general Carlos is one of the best players in the world right now,” Zverev told Eurosport.

“He won Miami, Barcelona and he’s winning almost every week so it is not going to be an easy match that’s for sure but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I would say so right now with how past results were he’s an up and coming player and I’ve struggled this year but that’s hopefully in the past now.”

Zverev says he was delighted to overcome Tsitsipas who he labelled the current best clay-court player in the world before the match.

“At the end of the day he is one of the best in the world and I’m happy with how I played, I’m happy with my match. I think I served well today and in general I feel like I managed the match well.”

– – –