While Rafael Nadal (34 years old) raised his 13th Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz confirmed the same day in the challenger (second ATP category) Sánchez-Casal that the future falls short, which is already present, winning the tournament. Seven days later, he also won the title in Alicante, which was played at the Equelite Academy in Villena, where he grows alongside his coach, former number one Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Murcian, aged 17 years and five months, defeated Pedro Martínez 7-6 (6) and 6-3 in 1h: 43. His rival (97th) in the ATP, had just reached the third round at Roland Garros.
“The break has hurt us all, but in this time I have been able to improve certain things physically that have been good for me. It is also a motivation to play the few tournaments that there are after the break,” Alcaraz explained. With his triumph in the challenger, the third this year after the one he achieved in August in Trieste (Italy), he became the second player in history with the most titles in the category at his age. Single Richard Gasquet (16 years and 10 months) exceeds him in precocity. Felix Auger-Aliassime, designated as the next star, did it at 17 years and 10 months. Martín del Potro, the same. And a certain Novak Djokovic, with 17 years and 11 months. Alcaraz won his first ATP match in February in Rio, against Albert Ramos and at just 16 years old.
Add and follow Alcaraz, forceful from the bottom and with an iron mind so as not to collapse that differentiates the chosen ones, and has already ranked 136th in the world. It wouldn't be strange to see him finish the year in the top-100. His next goal, Marbella in two weeks.