mtenis.com.pl

#NextGenATP Spaniard bowed out to top seed Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz’s 18th birthday celebration didn’t exactly go as planned. The teenager won just three games against Rafael Nadal in their second-round clash at the Mutua Madrid Open.

But despite the one-sided scoreline, the #NextGenATP Spaniard was all smiles in his post-match press conference after receiving the ultimate present from his childhood idol.

Playing the five-time champion on Manolo Santana Stadium, wild card Alcaraz stayed toe-to-toe with Nadal for the opening exchanges but wasn’t able to keep pace as the top seed got going. An abdominal injury early on jolted Alcaraz out of his rhythm, requiring a medical timeout, and the 13-time Roland Garros champion cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

You May Also Like: Nadal Snuffs Out Candles On Alcaraz's 18th Birthday
“I think I could have done more in this match, but at the end of the day, it’s Rafa,” Alcaraz reflected in his post-match press conference. “Playing against Rafa for the first time is never easy. The first or the hundredth time, it’s never easy. But honestly, just to be able to play against Rafa was super special.

“I think the next time we play it will be totally different. I will know more about how to play and how to carry myself on the court. I think this time I was too anxious to finish the points quickly. At some point I even forgot that I had Rafa across the net from me, and then he returned ball after ball. I could have been more patient. But it was an unforgettable experience for me that I will always have.”


The 18-year-old’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed by Nadal, who was generous with his praise of the teenager in his own press conference. But the top seed did more than just compliment Alcaraz’s forehands and backhands.

When asked to quantify Alcaraz’s potential for greatness, Nadal instead pointed to the teen’s work ethic and good character as his best attributes.

“I’ve spoken a few times when I’ve seen him at tournaments… I see a lot of great qualities in him already,” Nadal said. “For example when playing a match like today, he didn’t complain a single time and had a great attitude despite losing the way he did. In Australia, he had a 15-day quarantine, and he accepted it without complaint.

“When it’s time to train, every time I’ve seen him practice he has a great attitude and good energy. This is what I see from him on a day-to-day basis and I can see how he treats the people around him. To me, this shows that he has great character.”


Alcaraz, who also received a birthday cake from Nadal and tournament director Feliciano Lopez after the match, broke into a grin after hearing Nadal’s comments.

“For me it means a lot. For one of the guys who has been at the top for so long to laud you like this and say that you’re doing things the right way means a lot,” Alcaraz said.

“I’ve always said that Rafa is my childhood idol, and I am trying to follow in his footsteps. I never see Rafa make a bad gesture on court or complain, and these are things that can affect you on the court. I try to follow his example. I’m doing things the right way, and if I continue like this I think I can go down the right path.”

How To Watch

Despite the bittersweet ending, Alcaraz was determined to focus on the positives from his run in Madrid. The No. 120 player in the FedEx ATP Rankings claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 win in the previous round to set up the meeting with his favourite player, and he is eager for more matches like these against the top players.

“This match made me learn a lot, because I have to know how to manage the tough moments and know how to play against these kinds of players,” Alcaraz said.

“[These are] tough matches, tough players, and I have to learn how to play against them. I think if I could play more matches like this, I will grow up faster as a player.”

Spanish teen lifts first trophy of 2021

For Carlos Alcaraz, a memorable month of May has become unforgettable. The 18-year-old Spaniard dominated at the ATP Challenger Tour stop in Oeiras, Portugal, claiming the biggest title of his young career.

Alcaraz lifted the Oeiras Open 125 trophy on Sunday, defeating Facundo Bagnis 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 38 minutes. Just two weeks after battling idol Rafael Nadal at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid, he would return to the Challenger level full of confidence.

Alcaraz joined elite company with his victory in Oeiras, becoming one of just seven players to win four Challenger titles at the age of 18 & under. That list includes Richard Gasquet (7), Tomas Berdych (5), Felix Auger-Aliassime (4), Hyeon Chung (4), Mario Ancic (4) and Guillermo Coria (4).

"I'm incredibly happy to win here," said Alcaraz, who is projected to break into the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings on Monday. "To be able to get this title is something special. It's the biggest moment of my career. I played at a high level all week, at a great tournament and against very good players. I think it's a great preparation for Roland Garros [qualifying]. I'm just really happy."

Alcaraz

Since he first crashed onto the scene one year ago, Alcaraz has made his mark as a mental giant. With poise and composure far beyond his years, the 18-year-old would exhibit exceptional fortitude en route to the title in Oeiras.

On Wednesday, the Murcia native was forced to battle back from a set and a break down to defeat fellow #NextGenATP star Brandon Nakashima. Then, in Thursday's quarter-finals, he outlasted home hope Gastao Elias after trailing 1-4 in the opening set. On Friday, Alcaraz withstood a stern test from former World No. 64 Taro Daniel, bouncing back after conceding two straight breaks when serving for the match in the second set. And on Saturday, he sprinted to the finish line with an efficient straight-set win over Bagnis.

"I felt very comfortable on the court. Facundo is a great player. I had the break in the second set and felt a little nervous with my serve. He broke back but I got it done in the end. It was the small details, these opportunities, that I took advantage of."


Alcaraz is not only projected to crack the Top 100 on Monday, but will also move up two spots to sixth place in the ATP Race To Milan. The surging teen is seeking to make his debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals in November.

The Spaniard picked up where he left off on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2020, when he set the circuit ablaze behind a trio of titles and a tour-leading 83.3 win percentage. The Spaniard, who won 20 of 24 Challenger matches last year, has already proceeded to launch a seamless transition to the ATP Tour in 2021. A first Tour-level semi-final on home soil in Marbella came just one month ago and was soon followed by a successful ATP Masters 1000 debut in Madrid (d. Mannarino).

Alcaraz
Photo: Sara Falcao | @sarahawkkk on Instagram

Now, as Alcaraz sets his sights on full-time ATP Tour status going forward, one of the greatest performers in ATP Challenger history had one last statement to make on the circuit.

"I will forever remember this week, this tournament, this club, this city, this moment," said Alcaraz. "Winning a title is always special and to reach the Top 100 here in Portugal is very nice. I will next go to Roland Garros and try to qualify for my first Grand Slam. I need to keep improving with every match and now I want to gain more experience playing five sets. This will be important starting in Roland Garros."

Spanish teen makes historic breakthrough
It was just two years ago that Carlos Alcaraz announced his arrival in grand fashion. Teenagers don't often seize the spotlight with fearless aggression and the mental prowess of a veteran, but that is exactly what the Spaniard has become known for.

At the ripe age of 15 in April 2019, Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in his first main draw appearance on the ATP Challenger Tour. From that day, it quickly became a matter of when, not if, he would reach the Top 100 of the FedEx ATP Rankings. That moment has arrived for the native of Murcia, Spain.

Alcaraz celebrates his debut among the 100 best players in the world on Monday following his fourth Challenger title in Oeiras, Portugal. His surge to a career-high No. 94 — a move of 397 spots since the start of 2020 — has made him the youngest member of the club.

"Being in the Top 100 is something very special for me," Alcaraz told ATPTour.com. "It is a reflection of all the hard work that I am doing with my team and the dedication that I am putting on and off the court. To be Top 100 was one of my dreams since I was I very little, and to be able to get there is something amazing. I can't explain it with words. It is an incredible feeling. It gives me great motivation to continue training and give all I have to continue improving."

It is a historic Top 100 breakthrough for the 18-year-old, who becomes the second-youngest Spaniard to enter the club. Only a 16-year-old Rafael Nadal was younger when he made his debut in 2003. In addition, Alcaraz is the youngest player to make the breakthrough since Croatian Borna Coric in 2014.

Youngest Players to Debut in Top 100 (since 2000)

Player Age Debut Date
Rafael Nadal
16 years, 10 months
21 April 2003
Richard Gasquet
17 years, 3 months
29 September 2003
Borna Coric
17 years, 11 months
27 October 2014
Juan Martin del Potro
18 years, 0 months, 16 days
9 October 2006
Carlos Alcaraz
18 years, 0 months, 19 days
24 May 2021
All ascents are created differently, but for those striving to reach the pinnacle of the ATP Tour, cracking the Top 100 is a seminal moment. It is one that confirms the belief that you belong on the biggest stages in pro tennis.

Belief. That is one thing Alcaraz already owns in abundance. Where the Spaniard has struck fear in the eyes of opponents with bold shotmaking and blazing agility, it's his composure between the lines and humility off the court that continues to endear him to fans.

Where does that poise come from? How does an 18-year-old develop such a mature approach to the game? Watching countryman and idol Nadal exhibit those same traits throughout his career and absorbing the values instilled by coach Juan Carlos Ferrero are expected. But Alcaraz revealed a more surprising source of inspiration: 'Rocky'.

"When I watch the Rocky movies, it really motivates me," Alcaraz said. "He never surrenders. He always believes that he will win. Boxing is a lot like tennis. You have two people preparing for a battle and then trying to look for solutions during the fight. He makes one move, then you make another, and you have to adapt. It's one of the movies that I enjoy watching a lot and it has helped me in my career."

You May Also Like: Carlos Conquers Oeiras: Alcaraz Claims Historic Fourth Challenger Crown
Born in 2003 in the village of El Parmar, located just 30 minutes from Spain's east coast, Alcaraz was four when he first picked up a racquet with his father. Carlos Sr. is the director of tennis at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo Murcia. The game came naturally to his son, who started taking classes at the club and hitting the ball for fun with his brothers Álvaro, Sergio and Jaime. It soon grew into something greater than he could imagine.

Alcaraz first crashed onto the scene one year ago with a head-turning ATP Tour debut at the Rio Open presented by Claro. He would stun World No. 41 Albert Ramos-Vinolas in a final-set tie-break after three hours and 37 minutes. When the COVID-19 shutdown happened just a few weeks later, it halted all the momentum and confidence he built from his run in Rio. But it was that four-month hiatus that he credits for what would be a history-making return to competition.

"I really took advantage of that time to improve physically," Alcaraz added. "Thankfully we have a full gym at the [Equelite Ferrero] academy and I worked hard to get better. Also, there were some things in my game that I needed to work on and it was good that we had the time to do that."

Alcaraz
Photo: Sara Falcao
Alcaraz would make the ATP Challenger Tour his personal playground upon the tour's resumption. He captured his maiden title in Trieste, Italy, as a qualifier and further cemented his Challenger legacy with second and third crowns two months later. His victories on home soil in Barcelona and Alicante put him in an exclusive club as one of just five players to win three titles before their 18th birthday. His 83.3 winning percentage (20-4 record) would lead the Challenger circuit by year's end.

Alcaraz has already proceeded to launch a seamless transition to the ATP Tour in 2021. A first tour-level semi-final on home soil in Marbella came just one month ago and was soon followed by a successful ATP Masters 1000 debut in Madrid, where he would battle Nadal in the second round.

"Being No. 110 or No. 94, it doesn't change much in our approach," said Ferrero, former World No. 1 and Alcaraz's longtime coach. "The message is to try to give 100 per cent every week, prepare well, train well and take care of what you can control. It's a lot. But little by little we will try to continue climbing these steps.

"Our plans gave us the opportunity to be at this level. He has been burning through each stage, but we are also realistic and we are happy and satisfied with the level he is giving on the court. Both he and I are very ambitious and we always want more. We are going to try to grow even more and see how far we can climb at the end of the year."

Alcaraz has little time to celebrate this milestone. The Spaniard is already at Roland Garros, ready to embark on his quest for a first main draw appearance on the Parisian terre battue. He will open qualifying against Slovakia's Lukas Lacko on Tuesday.