Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his nineteenth birthday on Thursday.
The Barcelona champion isn’t asking for social gathering favors.
Alcaraz has one birthday want: a Rafael Nadal rematch in a Madrid.
The seventh-seeded Alcaraz has a first-round bye and can face Nikoloz Basilashvili in his Madrid opener.
Each Alcaraz and Nadal have to win two matches to arrange a Madrid quarterfinal rematch that would simply fall on Alcaraz’s birthday.
“Hopefully I will play on my birthday. I want for that,” Alcaraz informed the media in Madrid. “It’s a special occasion, the place final yr I used to be capable of play in opposition to Rafa, and this yr I want I will play the match on my birthday on Thursday. Hopefully I will win this yr.”
A yr in the past, Nadal schooled Alcaraz 6-1, 6-2 within the Madrid spherical of 32. Of their Indian Wells rematch final March, Nadal fought off a ferocious Alcaraz and a fractured rib prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in a three-hour marathon.
Yesterday, Alcaraz partnered Nadal’s coach and good buddy Marc Lopez to a doubles win in Lopez’s farewell event. Nadal and Lopez famously partnered to seize the doubles gold medal on the 2016 Rio Olympic Video games.
Miami Open champion Alcaraz got here near cracking the code in opposition to the king of clay in Indian Wells and is a way more assured participant as of late. He has trigger for confidence: the world No. 9 carries a 23-3 document, together with an 11-1 mark on dust, into Madrid.
Alcaraz, who excelled earlier than dwelling followers in a rousing Barcelona efficiency, says he’s able to make Madrid magic.
“Each single event that I step into, I believe that I’m able to win it,” Alcaraz stated. “I believe I’ve the extent and the bodily state to win it. , that is tennis and something can occur.
“I really feel prepared. I really feel with the arrogance, and I believe that I can do a extremely good consequence, can obtain a extremely good consequence right here in Madrid.”
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