When Carlos Alcaraz first entered the Madrid Tennis Open at the age of 18, his goal was to gain experience and learn from the best players. Only a year later, Alcaraz already believes it has risen to the elite of its sport.
The young Spanish men’s tennis sensation capped off another impressive week on Sunday with a straight-set victory over Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Open final.
After defeating his idol Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals and then world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, Alcaraz easily defeated Zverev, ranked third in the world, 6-3, 6-1.
“Last year, I had these experiences for the first time. To face the best players, to participate in Masters 1000, and I learned a lot,” said Alcaraz.
“Now it’s different. I come onto the court knowing that I can win, with the confidence that I can win at any time. »
Alcaraz, who is only 19 years old, became the youngest tennis player to triumph in Madrid, and the second youngest to collect two trophies at Masters 1000 category tournaments after Nadal won the Monte Carlo and from Rome in 2005.
Alcaraz had already become the youngest player to break into the top-10 of the ATP rankings since Nadal achieved the feat in 2005.
“It’s an extraordinary feeling to be able to beat these players,” said Alcaraz. “To defeat two of the best players in history and then Zverev, third in the world. He is a great player. I would say this is the best week of my life. »
For Alcaraz, it was a seventh victory in a row against a top-10 rival and a fourth title in 2022, a peak within the ATP circuit.
He also dominates the men’s circuit with 28 wins this season, one more than Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Zverev was hoping to win the Madrid Open for the second year in a row, and for the third time in his career. After the match, he had nothing but praise for his young rival
“Right now you are the best player in the world,” Zverev said before the trophy presentation ceremony, before cracking a joke about his opponent’s age.
“Even though you’re only five years old, you manage to beat us all!” It’s wonderful to see that tennis has such a new superstar who will win several Grand Slam tournaments, who will become number one in the world and who will win this tournament several times. »
Alcaraz had won its first Masters 1000 category tournament in Miami at the beginning of April. He also signed triumphs in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona. He earned a first career title last year, in Umag, Croatia.
Alcaraz suffered three losses in 2022, to Sebastian Korda in Monte Carlo, to Nadal in Indian Wells and to Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open.
After long duels that took three sets against Nadal and Djokovic, Alcaraz showed a high level of energy from the start against Zverev, and was in control throughout the duel, played on the center court of the “Caja Magica”.
Alcaraz faced no break points and converted four of eight break chances. The Spaniard committed 11 unforced errors compared to Zverev’s 25.
“I’m 19 which I think is the key to being able to play long, tough games in a row. I feel very good physically. »
Alcaraz noted that it was special to triumph in Madrid, the place where he started watching tennis at a very young age.
“Seeing ‘Rafa’ lift this trophy gave me a lot of strength to work hard for this moment,” he said.
“It’s a big moment for me. This is the first tournament I have watched, and lifting this trophy today is so emotional. »