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When Carlos Alcaraz performed in his first Madrid Open as an 18-year-old, his aim was to achieve expertise and be taught from the highest gamers.
Solely a 12 months later, Alcaraz already feels he belongs among the many finest.
The Spanish teenage sensation capped one other spectacular week, with a straight-sets victory over Alexander Zverev on Sunday to win the Madrid Open and turn into the second-youngest participant to win two Masters 1000 titles.
His comfy 6-3, 6-1 win over Zverev adopted victories over his idol, Rafael Nadal, within the quarter-finals and top-ranked Novak Djokovic within the semi-finals.
“Final 12 months, I used to be going by means of these experiences for the primary time, taking part in towards one of the best gamers, taking part in within the Masters 1000, and I realized rather a lot,” Alcaraz mentioned.
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“Now it is completely different. I am going onto the courtroom realizing that I can win, with the arrogance that I can win at any second.”
Alcaraz turned the youngest winner in Madrid, and the second-youngest to win two Masters 1000 trophies after Nadal gained in Monte Carlo and Rome in 2005.
It was Alcaraz’s seventh straight win over a top-10 participant, and his tour-leading fourth title of the 12 months after victories in Rio de Janeiro, Miami and Barcelona. He additionally has essentially the most wins this season, with 28, yet one more than Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Zverev praises the victor however offers scheduling a serve
Germany’s Zverev was attempting to win his second consecutive Madrid title, and third general. He had solely reward for Alcaraz after the match.
“Proper now you’re the finest participant on the earth,” Zverev mentioned earlier than the trophy ceremony and joked about his opponent’s age.
The jokes ended after the ceremony, nevertheless, as Zverev criticised organisers for the scheduling of his matches.
“The scheduling must be performed higher … Yesterday I began my match at 11pm. I performed three units. Completed at 1:30,” Zverev informed reporters.
“Till I get again to the resort, till I eat, till I do my work with the physio as a result of I’ve to organize my physique for the subsequent day, it is 5am.
“When you keep up till 4-5am, the subsequent day you’re drained. When you do it two nights in a row, you’re utterly lifeless. You’re destroyed, you won’t be able to do bodily exercise on a most stage.”
Zverev — who was the defending champion in Madrid — mentioned he was upset as the ultimate had misplaced its sheen consequently since followers anticipated an excellent contest, although the bulk have been rooting for the Spaniard Alcaraz.
Whereas Alcaraz gained his first Masters 1000 event in Miami earlier this 12 months, he has since gained in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona. His first profession title got here in Umag final 12 months.
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Alcaraz’s three losses this season got here towards Sebastian Korda in Monte Carlo, Nadal in Indian Wells and Matteo Berrettini within the Australian Open.
After lengthy, three-set wins over Nadal and Djokovic, the seventh-seeded Alcaraz stored his excessive power from the beginning towards Zverev and was in management all through the match on the “Caja Mágica” centre courtroom.
He did not face any break factors and transformed 4 of the eight he had towards the second-seeded Zverev.
Alcaraz had 11 unforced errors in comparison with 25 by Zverev.
“I’m 19 years previous, which I feel is the important thing to have the ability to play lengthy and hard matches in a row. I’m feeling nice, bodily,” Alcaraz mentioned.
He mentioned it was particular to win in Madrid, the place he first began watching tennis at an early age.
Wires/ABC
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