Spanish rising star Carlos Alcaraz has insisted that his sudden surge in popularity will not change him as a person after he claimed his latest Tour title at the Barcelona Open on Sunday.
The 18-year-old dismissed compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, on a day where he had to play two matches after poor weather caused havoc with the tournament’s schedule. Alcaraz also bounced back from the brink of defeat to beat Alex de Minaur 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4, in the semi-finals. In total he spent four hours and 50 minutes playing on the Pista Rafa Nadal.
Alcaraz’s triumph in Barcelona continues what is a breakout season for the youngster. In February he became the youngest player in history to win an ATP 500 event in Rio since the series began. The following month he stunned the Tour by winning Miami to become one of the youngest players to ever win a Masters 1000 title. After his triumph in Barcelona, he has become only the third player this season to have won a third ATP Tour event after Rafal Nadal and Andrey Rublev.
“I don’t have any limits, I don’t want to set any. I want to continue playing at the level I have and I think that if I continue like this I have many options to continue climbing,” Alcaraz said following his victory in Barcelona.
“I want to continue enjoying myself on the court, I still don’t want to touch the ceiling.”
Following his latest win, Alcaraz has secured a place in the world’s top 10 this week for the first time in his career. He is the youngest player to do so since Nadal back in 2005 who coincidentally also achieved the milestone after winning the Barcelona Open.
“I’ve always been a normal boy. Fame doesn’t scare me, I’m going to continue being the same as always, I’m not going to change the person I am,” the new world No.9 stated. “I’m glad to know that at 18 I’m in the top 10, and to do it on the same date that my idol Rafa did it is impressive.”
Alcaraz has won 23 out of 26 matches played so far this season with his only losses being to Nadal, Matteo Berrettini and Sebastian Korda. He is coached by former world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero who won the 2003 French Open.
There will be little time for the teenage sensation to rest. On Monday he will be in the Greek capital of Athens to play an exhibition match against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz which has been organized by IMG. According to Marca newspaper, he will then return to Spain to rest for two days before preparing for the upcoming Madrid Masters which is held at the Caja Magica.
