Carlos Alcaraz says beating 'three beasts' including Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal inspired him to realise potential
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Updated 26/04/2023 at 21:52 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz has pointed to his outstanding run to the 2022 Madrid Open title as a moment that helped him realise his potential ahead of his attempt to defend the crown this week in Spain. The teenager defeated Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev on his way to last year's crown, and went on to clinch his first major title at the US Open and finish as year-end world No. 1.
Medvedev: 'Scary' to have Alcaraz in your draw, talks about his struggles on clay
Carlos Alcaraz says taking down "three beasts" - Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev - on his way to the Madrid Open title last year helped him realised what he was capable of.
The Spaniard enjoyed a stunning success on home soil in 2022 and is the top seed as he looks to defend his crown in the Spanish capital this week.
Alcaraz, 19, enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, clinching titles in Madrid, Barcelona, Miami and Rio de Janeiro as well as claiming his first Grand Slam at the US Open and earning year-end world No. 1 status.
But he looks back on his run in Madrid as a crucial moment in a young career that promises so much.
"When I was about to play the quarter-final (against Nadal), the semi-final (against Djokovic), the final (against Zverev) - I didn't realise I won (against) Rafa and Djokovic before starting the final,” Alcaraz said.
“I was just focusing on the final. Sasha (Zverev) beat me a couple of times before that. It was tough for me. I remember before the final, I struggled with some problems with my feet. After that week, I didn't realise that I beat three beasts."
He added: “The final inspired me a lot to know what I am capable of in beating Rafa, Djokovic and Zverev in matches one after the other.
“To beat these three players gives you a lot of confidence in what you are capable of. This time round I hope I can do the same and will have a lot of desire.”
Alcaraz has been given a bye into the second round in Madrid this year, where he will face Emil Ruusuvuori or Ugo Humbert.
The teenager has been in terrific form so far this season, winning titles in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells and Barcelona ahead of hitting the clay courts of Madrid.
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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz smiles as he holds the trophy after beating Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during the ATP Barcelona Open "Conde de Godo" tennis tournament singles final match at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona
Image credit: Getty Images
One man that won’t stand in his way this year is Nadal, who was unable to compete due to injury, and Alcaraz explained that he found it difficult when he first came up against his role model.
“On my 18th birthday in 2021, it was my first time playing Rafa. It was really tough for me to handle that I was about to play against Rafa - my idol,” Alcaraz said.
“I was scared but in 2022, last year it was totally different. I played a couple of times against him. It was a third set in Indian Wells as well. So, it was so different. I tried to focus on my game, try to be relax, be myself on court and was one of my best matches on tour."
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