Alcaraz's long love affair with the Caja Mágica: "Height favors me"
With this Friday’s resounding triumph over Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko, Carlos Alcaraz has now secured 12 consecutive victories in the Madrid Masters. Since May 5, 2021, when he suffered a defeat to Rafael Nadal on his eighteenth birthday, Alcaraz, still a rising star at the time, has not lost a match on these courts.
Currently ranked number three in the world and already firmly established among tennis elites, Alcaraz has claimed titles at Wimbledon and the US Open, and has spent a considerable amount of time as the top player in the ATP rankings. His love affair with the Caja Mágica continues, as he sets his sights on reaching the round of 16 against Brazilian opponent Thiago Seyboth Wild. It is worth noting that his loss to Nadal remains the only blemish on his record at the Madrid Masters.
Prior to this impressive victory, Alcaraz defeated Adrian Mannarino in his debut match. In his last three appearances, he has overcome formidable opponents such as Nikoloz Basilashvili, Cameron Norrie, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev. Notable achievements include consecutively eliminating Nadal and Djokovic in 2022, and defeating Zverev in the final to claim the title. Alcaraz now aims to become the first player to win three consecutive Madrid Masters titles.
In addition to his successes in Madrid, Alcaraz is a two-time champion of the Conde de Godó and Indian Wells tournaments. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the Conde de Godó this year due to a forearm injury that still requires protection with a compression mesh. While he has experienced early exits in Barcelona and Indian Wells, his performances in Madrid stand out.
Alcaraz attributes his success in Madrid to the favorable conditions, including the altitude, which complements his game. He has been playing at the Caja Mágica since a young age and feels comfortable on these courts. The support of fans, as well as being surrounded by his family and friends, provides him with extra motivation and energy.
Following his recent match, Alcaraz expressed satisfaction with his performance, particularly regarding his physical condition. He revealed that he decided to participate in the tournament after a training session with Daniil Medvedev. Having refrained from picking up a racket for a week following the announcement of his withdrawal from the Conde de Godó, Alcaraz initially had doubts about his ability to compete in Madrid. However, he is pleased with his progress and hopes to continue playing as long as he remains pain-free.
Alcaraz’s future in the tournament will depend on the evolution of his physical condition. As the second seed, he initially aimed to play three or four matches. However, if any discomfort arises, he will not hesitate to stop competing. Looking ahead, the Masters 1000 in Rome begins on May 8th, followed by the start of Roland Garros on May 26th. Alcaraz is determined to perform at his best during the clay season’s greatest objective, the French Open.