ATP Barcelona – Carlos Alcaraz, insatiable shark after his resounding victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas: “We all see you as an example”

“Carlos, take it easy, man. Calm ! Sharing is caring, you know? did he laugh at the microphone. All kidding aside, congratulations on the, I don’t even know, 30th time. Congratulations on this accomplishment“. This Sunday, after his final victory, the Spaniard has 4 wins in… 4 matches against the Greek. The latter, 24, returned to the discovery of this talent so special and already so dominant.

“As soon as you entered the circuit, I remember seeing you play a little. I think I can say for the others, those who arrived at the same time as me, that we were all fascinated by your game. So I really want to congratulate you on your progress over the past few years, it’s impressive. And I think we can say things honestly: we all see you as an example, even if we’re all a little older than you. It pushes us to do more“. Not yet enough to do better.

This Sunday, Alcaraz behaved like a boss, sure of his strength and his destiny. His emotional lucidity perhaps impresses even more than his often brutal and sometimes delicious tennis, like his aptly distilled drop shots. Listening to him, however, nothing was easy for him in the preparation for this final.

“I came on the court a little nervous, I was tense last nighthe explained at a press conference. So I’m very happy that I managed to overcome that to play the way I wanted. […] The difference with last year’s match is that I managed to be focused from start to finish. I did not allow Stefanos to dominate, I imposed my rhythm. So the difference was mental“.

Favorite in Madrid… and Roland?

His crown kept in Barcelona, ​​the Spaniard will attack the defense of that of Madrid. The joint absences of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Jannik Sinner have further strengthened his status as favorite in the Spanish capital. “We always want to winhe explained of his ambitions for Madrid. We go there thinking that we can win but not winning it would not be a failure for me. You have to see the level, as I play. But any player can beat me“.

A statement that would almost make you smile. But Alcaraz is right: a defeat in Madrid would probably not damage his status apart from among the favorites of Roland-Garros. While Djokovic and Nadal struggle with their bodies, while Tsitsipas seems morally affected by these recurring failures against the Spaniard, he risks arriving with the wind at his back in Paris.

“Roland-Garros is a clear objectivehe simply admitted. I really want to play him but above all I have to focus on Madrid and Rome first. Winning here gives me a little more confidence“. As if that wasn’t enough already…