Logo

Sports

Prince Alcaraz dethrones Rafa Nadal at Madrid Tennis Open

Carlos Alcaraz became the first teenager to beat Rafael Nadal. The young Spaniard recovers from injury and advances to the semifinals against the world’s No. 1, Novak Djokovic.

By Andy Leal Cerdá

May 6, 2022 3:30pm

Updated: May 6, 2022 6:05pm

Rafael Nadal, and everyone present on the main court of the Madrid Open, got a glimpse of the present and future of his heir. One day after his 19th birthday, Carlos Alcaraz became the first teenager to beat the Spanish legend and reach the semifinals of the Madrid Master 1000 with a three-set 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 victory on Friday in the Caja Magica. Now the prince of tennis will face the resurgent Novak Djokovic.

The young player from Murcia ranks ninth in the ATP world rankings and after today's victory, he is the clear third favorite for the French Grand Slam, Roland Garros. He already has two Masters titles under his belt this year with the Miami Open and the Conde de Godo in Barcelona. Although Nadal is still not back to his best after his rib fracture, it is easy to see why Alcaraz is seen as the next superstar of men's tennis.

The boy recovered from an injury when he twisted his ankle during the match and had no nerves when it came time to serve. At 5-3, at 30-30, with a drophot and a forehand pass, he disposed of the best player in the history of his country with minimal effort. His forehand is becoming one of the best in the sport, performing its best is on clay, the surface that dominates the great Nadal.

Alcaraz will face world No. 1 Djokovic in the semifinals, who earlier beat Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-4.

In the women's final, American Jessie Pegula will battle for the title against Tunisia's surprising Ons Jabeur. Pegula is the first American woman in the Madrid Open final since Serena Williams in 2013.

Related Articles

The latest