An immense Carlos Alcaraz defended his title in the Conde de Godó Trophy. With a thousand-page tennis book, now powerful, now subtle, now resounding, now sweet, the Murcian defeated the Greek Stéfanos Tsisipás with authority. With a seamless match and an endless repertoire, Alcaraz won the tournament in a very special edition, the 70th, to round off a perfect week. The man from El Palmar lifted the Trophy without losing a set, leading the final against a rival of substance. He always dictated the meaning of the game and took it to his field.
Alcaraz entered the court to warm up to the rhythm of the main theme of the movie Rocky but on the clay of Tennis Barcelona he was more like a Muhammad Ali of the racket. Because? Because he moved with the ease of a butterfly and hit with the venom of a wasp. Although reducing his game to power would be to read only part of the work. Because on the other side of the coin Alcaraz beat Tsitsipás by sewing him to drop shots, especially with his right foot. The Hellene knew what would happen but he couldn’t help it. Meanwhile, the Spanish became an almost unapproachable giant. He was looking for the backhand of his opponent with relish but he did not become predictable. He could hit a monumental right. He could get on the net. He could throw a balloon. All in one to delight the 7,800 people who crowded the stands of the RCTB. There wasn’t a pin.
While the roars of the Camp Nou arrived, Alcaraz also roared. He did it when he achieved a phenomenal point, one of those with ups and downs, to achieve the decisive break in the first round. 5-3 and serve, in which he did not fail. Set to pocket in 38 minutes. Not even having been losing 1-2 with a break against had made him show doubts.
See that Tsitsipás was looking to break the rhythm with some climbs. Look, he was trying to resist. Look, he didn’t give up. But Alcaraz tortured him with the handling of his wrist and with his iron mentality.
Sometimes the difference between a very good player like the Greek and a great tennis player like the Murcian is a fine line, but significant. It can be measured, for example, in the number of finals won. With this Sunday Alcaraz has already won nine titles in twelve finals. Meanwhile, Tsitsipás has triumphed only in nine of his twenty-six finals. “I’ve been fluid, I’ve been relaxed, I’ve felt a lot of blows, I’ve got the game I wanted. I’m super happy. I was myself in the final. I woke up nervous but I did a good warm-up. That has helped me not feel the tension,” said Alcaraz.
The Greek was looking for his revenge last year in Barcelona against Alcaraz but the Murcian has taken the measure. Four confrontations and four victories for the Spaniard. The Greek has no choice but to keep trying. He has been three times on the verge of success at Godó but on two occasions Nadal and now Alcaraz, always with the local idol against him, took away the final prize.
Because the second sleeve did not change the fate of the match. Alcaraz followed his own and, to the delight of the respectable, he also pocketed the most spectacular points. Those who arouse the “oh” of admiration and the “bravos”. In the middle of a disco atmosphere, Alcaraz danced a modern song through the public address system. He did not give up the Tsitipás spoon but a break in the fifth game already put him on the ropes. A cyclone was coming upon him but he was trying to test the solvency of the champion who, at only 19 years old, gave a lesson in maturity. He never trembled his pulse and finished off the final with his service. 6-3, 6-4 and victory in 1h18 minutes. There was no script twist and the game ended with a tremendous right hand from Alcaraz who shouted with joy as he turned towards his corner. The 2 in the world is closer to 1 but beyond the numbers, his triumph in Godó certifies once again that a genius has arrived to stay in the elite for a long time. He has it all. “It has been a wonderful victory, and at home. I never imagined having so many fans wherever I go,” said the champion. He has earned it. The second Godó of him already shines in his showcases.
