ATP Masters Madrid: Carlos Alcaraz - "I will remember this for the rest of my life"
Carlos Alcaraz scored his first victory over Rafael Nadal on Friday and then spoke of one of the best days of his life.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: May 06, 2022, 11:01 pm
To describe Carlos Alcaraz 's first victory over Rafael Nadal as a changing of the guard in Spanish tennis would be a gross exaggeration given the mixed preparation of the 21-time Grand Slam winner. Without a doubt, Alcaraz showed again with his three-set win on Friday that tennis has a new star.
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Because not only the playful, but above all the mental performance of the only 19-year-old Spaniard knew how to impress in Madrid. After his fall in the second set, Alcaraz was initially visibly restricted, but in section three he was able to regain the level from the first round.
Alcaraz uses a break in the sentence
"I was thinking about the ankle and not about playing. When I lost the second set, I went to the bathroom, washed my face and thought if I'm not going to give up, then I should play, give it my all and until fight the last ball," reflected Alcaraz in the press conference after the match.
So Friday was still "one of the best days" of Alcaraz's life. "There are moments and victories that you never forget (...) Of course I will remember that for the rest of my life," said the world number ninth, who clearly beat Nadal 1: 6 and 2: 6 in Madrid twelve months ago was inferior.
After the next step in his already rapid development, Alcaraz will have to deal with industry leader Novak Djokovic for the first time in his career on Saturday. "I know I'll have my chances. This week's training helped me and I know how to approach the game," said Alcaraz, who lost a midweek training set against Djokovic 6-1.
So while Alcaraz is still fighting to win the tournament in the Spanish capital, Nadal has to focus on the next task. In the coming week, the 21-time Grand Slam winner will defend his title in Rome before the French Open in Paris will follow on May 22nd.
Nadal is already looking to Paris
After losing to Alcaraz, Nadal made no secret of his big goal in this year's clay court season. "I have two and a half weeks to prepare so I have real options in Paris," said the 35-year-old, who returned to the tour in Madrid after breaking a rib.
Due to the altitude, the event in the Caja Magica was not ideal for the comeback, but overall Nadal was satisfied with his tournament week: "I started with the right attitude and spent several hours on the pitch. That's the positive and I'll take that with me."
Here is the individual tableau in Madrid
madrid map