Carlos Alcaraz became the first player since fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal to successfully defend his Barcelona Tennis Open title on Sunday following a 6-3, 6-4 straight-set victory over the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
For Alcaraz, who is only 19 years old, this is a third title in 2023 and the ninth of his career.
With the victory, Alcaraz shows a 10-1 record at Barcelona and have won their last 14 games played in Spanish territory.
“It’s amazing to feel that energy and to be able to lift the trophy here in Barcelona in front of my fans,” said Alcaraz, who often watched the tournament from the stands as a child.
“My family and friends are here, too. It’s a nice feeling to lift the trophy in front of them. »
Alcaraz ended the game on center court Rafa Nadal with a forehand winner, for their fifth straight win in two sets at this year’s tournament.
Facing the fifth player in the world, Alcaraz managed 26 winners and only committed 7 unforced errors.
Before the final duel on Sunday, Alcaraz, the second player in the world and the first seed, had never managed to win the same tournament two years in a row. He will try to repeat this feat next week at the Madrid Open.
Alcaraz are 23-2 overall this year, and their victory on Sunday adds to their triumphs in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells earlier in 2023. It was their fourth final in five tournaments since the launch of the season.
Alcaraz and Tsitsipas traded breaks of service at the start of the opening set, but the Spaniard eventually took control of the game to claim a fourth win in as many games against the Greek.
Last year, Alcaraz also defeated Tsitsipas at the Barcelona Open, this time in the quarter-finals.
“I had the chance to see you play for the first time a few years ago,” Tsitsipas said of Alcaraz. A few of us were already on the circuit a little before you. I think most of us were fascinated by your game. Even though we are older than you, we see you as an example to follow. We see your accomplishments as things that we hope will inspire us to do better. »
Tsitsipas was hoping to win the Barcelona Open for the first time in his career, having suffered defeats at the hands of Nadal in the 2018 and 2021 finals. He was also on the hunt for a first title in 2023 and the 10e of her career.
Nadal was the last player to win the Barcelona Open consecutively, scoring three triumphs in a row between 2016 and 2018.