Alcaraz: "Rafa has spoiled us"

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It had been a while since we had seen a version of Carlos Alcaraz showing such authority in his game. The Murcian quickly defeated Arthur Fils, who ended up completely frustrated and clueless against the onslaught of varied play that was coming at him. In the final of the Conde de Godó 2025, Alcaraz hopes to replicate this performance this Sunday against the same opponent.

The final of the ATP Barcelona 2025 will feature Carlos Alcaraz against Holger Rune. The Spaniard defeated Ethan Quinn, Laslo Djere, Alex De Miñaur, and Arthur Fils to reach the final, while the Dane had victories over Albert Ramos, Sebastián Báez, Casper Ruud, and Karen Khachanov. Their dynamics are quite different as Alcaraz comes from winning the Monte Carlo Masters and has been progressively performing better in Barcelona, whereas Rune had to retire abruptly in the Monte Carlo tournament due to an intestinal discomfort. Carlos spoke at a press conference about his current form and previewed the final for tomorrow.

- Overwhelming Pressure

Alcaraz constantly deals with an overwhelming pressure that might not be entirely warranted. Holger Rune is only a few days older than him and does not face the same level of scrutiny in his home country as Carlos does in Spain. This scenario is likely influenced by the formidable career of Rafa Nadal, setting high expectations for the emerging talents. Carlos shared his thoughts on this pressure: "We've had many good athletes in Spain, and we've become accustomed to success. If we don't win, everything is seen as a failure; achievements are exaggerated, and failures create a disproportionately large bubble. I appreciate the support I've always received, with positive feedback outnumbering the negative, yet the negative weighs ten times as much. In Spain, Rafa has set a high bar for us, along with the other giants, and that's something that shouldn't be the case."

- Exceptional Performance on the Court

"It was a very complete match, maintaining a high level from the start despite the windy conditions. I performed well throughout. I've struggled with my serve in previous matches, but today I managed not to drop it, crucial for tomorrow's confidence. After Miami, I reflected and aimed to maintain a positive mindset, focusing on enjoyment and composure on court. This approach aids me in winning matches; there's always room for improvement, but we're in a good place."

- What has changed since Monte Carlo?

The only previous encounter between Carlos and Fils was in Monte Carlo last week, where Alcaraz emerged victorious, although some doubts surfaced in his game: "There were many aspects I needed to improve. I tried to apply pressure during his service, gain positioning, and play intensely. The ambiance here greatly supported me; I played much better knowing what needed to be done. I executed brilliant points, stayed focused, aimed for simplicity, and performed better than him."

His next opponent is Holger Rune, whom he has known since their junior days: "Holger is a tough and formidable player; he defeated Ruud and Karen here. We competed in the under-12 and under-14 categories, and it'll be fantastic to face him in an ATP 500 final."

- Alcaraz and Unwavering Fan Support

"I'm fortunate to receive immense support wherever I go. During training sessions worldwide, I'm always backed by fans. I hardly get time to disconnect; there have been instances where I lost intensity in a match, but the crowd's support helps me turn it around. I must maintain the rhythm throughout the game, and here in Barcelona, I always achieve that."

After a challenging season on hard courts with some tough results, Alcaraz finally feels comfortable again: "I missed playing on clay, it bolsters my confidence significantly. I enjoy it and perform in front of family and friends, striving to have fun, learn, improve, and step onto the court happily."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz: "Rafa nos ha malacostumbrado"