Carlos Alcaraz had his first training session in the Caja Mágica on Friday. The man from Murcia practised on court No. 7, where hordes of fans awaited for a chance to show their affection for the young Spaniard . At just 18 years of age, he has already become one of the biggest idols for Spanish tennis lovers and this year’s Mutua Madrid Open promises to be an unforgettable one for him.
Alcaraz arrives in Madrid as one of the 10 best players in the world. Still just a teenager, and already proving his precocious talent on tour, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s understudy has vehemently marked his territory so far in 2022. The champion of Rio de Janeiro, Miami and Barcelona is the third-best player of the season, a fact that has not escaped the notice of the local fans.
On Friday, before attending the tournament’s official presentation in the Galería de Cristal at the Palacio de Cibeles, Alcaraz put the finishing touches on his game with sparring partner Dani Mérida. After his session, it was Rafael Nadal who took the baton on the same court, which the two stars momentarily shared.
One year ago, all eyes were on Alcaraz on his 18th birthday, when he squared up to the Mallorcan for the first time in an official match in the Manolo Santana Stadium. 12 months later, having become one of the biggest names on tour, Alcaraz no longer requires help to steal the limelight.
Madrid is shaping up to be a phenomenal tournament. With the main draw kicking off on Sunday, Alcaraz is starting to warm up his engines.
