Carlos Alcaraz quotes Real Madrid icon as he beats Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and even Vinicius Jr is a big fan
Carlos Alcaraz has reminded the tennis world that he is the future after stunning wins over Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokvoic on back-to-back days at the Madrid Open.
It was an exceptional sporting week in Madrid after Real Madrid produced one of the best ever comebacks to beat Man City and reach the Champions League final.
Alcaraz, who turned 19 this week, is a huge Real fan and has adopted the same mentality in his games.
Los Blancos legend Juanito once said that ’90 minutes at the Bernabeu is very long’ and the young Spaniard referred to it after beating Djokovic in the semi-finals.
After beating the world number one, he wrote on camera: βUn partido en Madrid es molto longoβ.
Meaning “a game in Madrid is very long”.
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Alcaraz continues to break records and defy the odds with a rapid rise that makes him a serious contender on the highest stage.
He eliminated the king of clay Nadal, his compatriot, on Friday despite an ankle injury.
Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr and Luka Modric were even spotted in the crowd cheering on the two Spaniards.
The teenager then produced his next shock win with a last four performance full of resilience and flair to inflict a 6-7(7), 7-5, 7-6(7) defeat on Djokovic.
Alcaraz became the first player to beat both Nadal and Djokovic on clay.
He said: βIt’s spectacular right now. I am very happy. I’m very excited to be able to play these kinds of matches, to be able to beat Rafa yesterday, to be able to beat number one today.
“So I’m super happy. It gives me a lot of confidence for tomorrow’s final.
Alcaraz will now face Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Open final on Sunday.
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