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Spanish teen upset Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev
When Carlos Alcaraz made his debut at the Mutua Madrid Open two years ago, he won just three games in his second-round match against Rafael Nadal. Little did the Spanish teen know that one year later he would make history at the Caja Magica.

Last year, carrying momentum from his maiden ATP Masters 1000 triumph in Miami, Alcaraz showed he was unafraid of the pressure on home soil in Madrid. After defeating five-time ATP Tour titlist Nikoloz Basilashvili and then-World No. 11 Cameron Norrie, he once again played countryman Nadal.

“You always have to think of Rafa as the favourite because he has already won here five times and all of the things he has achieved on clay,” Alcaraz said ahead the match in a press conference. “At the end of the day, I'm the new boy, the newcomer, the one that should not have any pressure when playing against one of the best players of history.”

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If Alcaraz was nervous, he did not show it. This time he upset Nadal 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, the teen stunned World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5) after a grueling three hours and 36 minutes.

In doing so, Alcaraz became the first player to defeat Nadal and Djokovic at the same clay-court event. He followed that victory by dismissing Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-1 for the trophy.

“It feels great to be able to beat these players,” Alcaraz said. “To beat two of the best players in history and then Zverev, the World No. 3. He is a great player. I would say this is the best week of my life.”

To relive Alcaraz’s memorable run, watch the full ATP Uncovered feature above.

Spaniard returns as defending champion
Editor's note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es

A smile is never far from Carlos Alcaraz’s face in the Caja Magica, where one year ago he delighted the Spanish fans with an unforgettable run to the title. The Spaniard comes to the Mutua Madrid Open as one of the biggest names on Tour, an icon of Spanish sport and, in the immediate future, a man with a tremendous opportunity to defend his title in the Manolo Santana Stadium.

In the midst of a formidable season, Alcaraz arrives in Madrid with a 23-2 record in 2023, and he will be determined to strengthen his dominance on clay. After a successful defence of his crown at the ATP 500 in Barcelona, the possibility of extending his legacy at the Spanish ATP Masters 1000 is within reach.

“Physically, I feel good. I feel 100 per cent,” admitted Alcaraz on Tuesday. “I can’t wait to get going in Madrid. With the level I produced in Barcelona, winning the title, I’m coming here with a lot of confidence. We all know it’s difficult to adapt to Madrid, but we have a few days before we start. I really can’t wait.”

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A year ago, the 19-year-old wrote a story that shook the circuit to its core. With a brave and confident brand of tennis, his wins over Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev allowed him to claim the trophy with a display of dominance rarely seen on Tour. However, this time around, the absence of Nadal and Djokovic will not mean the Spaniard is about to let his guard down.

“Any player can win the title... I don’t feel like the favourite, or anything of the sort, we always take it match by match," Alcaraz said.


The sentiment around the city of Madrid is unchanging. Fans chanting Alcaraz’s name on the practice courts, rivers of spectators watching the champion’s every move, and a general feeling of passion for a young 19-year-old destined to write the future of the sport. However, this is a reality that does nothing to overwhelm Alcaraz, who is grateful for the affection he receives.

“I don’t take it as pressure, actually the complete opposite”, he explained. “For me it’s motivation. It’s a pleasure to see so many people, I like playing in front of such big crowds, and even more so in Spain. It’s a really big motivation. Our intention is to have fun on court and also to entertain. When I manage to have fun on court I play my best tennis.

“My style of game is very lively, doing different things. The smile comes from within when I’m enjoying myself. With my team, when I’m feeling frustrated, we have a little joke about something to make me smile and change my perspective on the match.”

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His superlative prowess on court could lead Alcaraz to an extraordinary achievement in Madrid this season. Only Nadal has ever defended an ATP title on the clay of the Caja Magica, but it is a prospect that Alcaraz seems to assume with astonishing ease.

“Every tournament we go to, we think we can win it and we’re going to try and win it. But if we don’t, it’s not a failure for me”, he explained. “Leaving a tournament thinking I have failed would have more to do with the level of my tennis or my attitude, that’s the most important thing for me. If I do well mentally and I play well, I don’t take it as a failure”.


The atmosphere in the Spanish capital is electric as it awaits his return, now a different player, one who is capable of bringing the fans to their feet with his iconic drop shots, a superhuman mobility, and a forehand whose power is draw-dropping to witness at close quarters. Every year he comes back to Madrid an athlete capable of more remarkable feats.

“My game hasn’t changed much over the last year," Alcaraz said. "It’s been a time in which I’ve had some good moments and others not so good. The difference from last year’s Carlos to this year is maturity and experience."

Alcaraz will begin his title quest against Emil Ruusuvuori or Ugo Humbert.