Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his victory against Alexander Zverev. OSCAR DEL POZO (AFP)

Spain’s 19-year-old tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz wins Madrid Open

The Murcia player beat Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and, in the final, Alexander Zverev to lift the title this Sunday

ENRIC GARDINER

Madrid

Sunday, 8 May 2022 | Updated 09/05/2022 09:02h.

In three days, Carlos Alcaraz has beaten Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev to lift his first Madrid Masters Open title. The Murcia player, just turned 19, destroyed Zverev (6-3 and 6-1) to win one of the most important trophies of his career, along with Miami, making four this season and improving his impeccable record in finals. Six out of six.

Alcaraz was not only born to play these big games, but there is no way to think that he can lose them. And Alexander Zverev, champion here last year, was unable to handle his rival.

The Spanish player's game is a joy to watch, a display of superiority that harasses his opponent and hooks the fans, who shouted "Carlos, Carlos!" whenever he changed ends, a chant likely to be repeated in Spain and all over the world.

In the first set, the German player was evenly matched for five games and in the sixth, Alcaraz forced two errors. Zverev, appeared incredulous at the level of play of the 19-year-old in front of him.

The Spaniard had had to dig deep to see off world number one Djokovic and just one day later faced one of the tour's hardest hitters, a double winner in Madrid and one of the players expected to dominate this sport over the next decade.

The second set was seen off in just half an hour.

The Master of Madrid 🏆@alcarazcarlos03 | @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/iI66bKkBTk
ATP Tour (@atptour) May 8, 2022

“I have had a great time since we tossed the coin. With the support of this public it is incredible," said Alcaraz as soon as the final ended. In the stands, his father and his mother enjoyed the culmination of the best week of their son's career, in which he became the first tennis player to beat Djokovic and Nadal consecutively in a tennis tournament.

This Monday, the Spanish player will be number six in the world, the best ranking of his career.