Yet world number 3 and defending champion, Alexander Zverev did not exist this Sunday in the final of the Madrid tournament.
The 25-year-old German was swept away by the tornado Carlos Alcaraz, in two short sets (6-3, 6-1) and 62 minutes.
The young Spaniard obtained his second victory in a Masters 1000 after that in Miami at the beginning of April, signing a dream week.
The Murcian in turn beat his eldest and idol Rafael Nadal, king of clay, and the world number 1 Novak Djokovic, unheard of in the same tournament on ocher.
Alcaraz will climb to sixth place in the world on Monday, just four days after his 19th birthday and two weeks from Roland-Garros (May 22-June 5) of which he will be one of the big favorites.
Zverev's vibrant tribute
“You are the best player in the world right now.
Even if you are still only five years old, you are already beating us all, ”launched the Zverev with a smile after receiving his lesson (no break point in the whole match, a double fault to conclude).
“It's great for tennis to have a player like you.
You will win lots of Grand Slams and become world number 1, and you will win this tournament many times, ”said the German.
For the moment Alcaraz, has five titles to his name, including four on clay, his favorite surface.
He is the youngest to reach this total since Nadal in 2005 (at 18) and has still not lost a single final.
He is also the player with the most games won in 2022, with 28 wins.
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Sport
Tennis
Madrid
Masters 1000
Roland Garros 2022
Alexander Zverev