Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 3 and reigning French Open champion, powered through visible exhaustion to defeat Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-4 in the fourth round of the Italian Open on May 13, 2025, securing his place in the Rome quarter-finals. The match, a grueling test of endurance on the red clay of Foro Italico, showcased Alcaraz’s resilience as he overcame physical fatigue to maintain his stellar clay-court form. Khachanov, ranked No. 18, later revealed the Spaniard’s struggle, noting, “Carlos was tired,” a sentiment Alcaraz himself echoed post-match, providing a glimpse into the human toll of his relentless pursuit of greatness.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off a Madrid Open title defense, entered the match with a 3-1 head-to-head edge over Khachanov, their most recent clash a straight-sets win for Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open. Despite his dominance, the Rome encounter was no walkover. Khachanov, a former top-10 player known for his powerful baseline game, pushed Alcaraz to the brink, breaking his serve early in the first set to lead 3-2. Alcaraz, however, responded with characteristic flair, unleashing 20 winners, including a series of pinpoint forehands and delicate drop shots, to claw back and claim the set. “It feels amazing to get the win at the end against a really tough Karen Khachanov,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging the challenge. “Physically, I was struggling a bit. I didn’t have any pain in any part of the body. But it was just tiring. The match was really tough.”
The second set mirrored the first, with Khachanov refusing to yield. The Russian, who had battled past Francisco Cerundolo in a three-setter the previous round, capitalized on Alcaraz’s 25 unforced errors, many stemming from rushed shots as fatigue set in. A pivotal moment came at 4-4, when Alcaraz, down 0-30 on serve, unleashed a 98-mph ace and a blistering inside-out forehand to hold, silencing Khachanov’s momentum. “I was just trying to enjoy suffering,” Alcaraz later quipped, a nod to his ability to thrive under pressure. He broke Khachanov in the next game with a perfectly executed lob, sealing the match in just over 90 minutes.
Alcaraz’s admission of fatigue was striking, given his reputation as one of tennis’s fittest players. The Rome match followed a demanding clay season, including a Madrid title run and a Barcelona semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev, which may have sapped his reserves. Khachanov, reflecting on the match, praised Alcaraz’s tenacity despite his weariness. “He was tired, but he still found a way to step up when it mattered,” Khachanov said, underscoring the Spaniard’s mental fortitude. The Russian’s own performance, with 15 winners but a costly 22 unforced errors, highlighted his inability to exploit Alcaraz’s vulnerability fully.
This victory marked Alcaraz’s 27th win of the 2025 season and his fourth straight quarter-final appearance in Rome, where he has yet to claim the title. His 74th ATP Masters 1000 win places him among the sport’s elite, trailing only Rafael Nadal and Stefan Edberg for the fastest to reach that milestone. “I’m happy to be feeling in a good rhythm again on clay in Rome,” Alcaraz noted, emphasizing the confidence boost ahead of his quarter-final clash with Jack Draper, a rematch of their Indian Wells semi-final loss earlier this year.
As Alcaraz prepares for the French Open, where he is seeded No. 2, his Rome performance underscores both his brilliance and his mortality. The physical demands of the clay season, coupled with his all-out playing style, have tested his limits. Yet, his ability to “enjoy suffering” and deliver under duress cements his status as a generational talent. For Khachanov, the loss stings but offers lessons as he eyes a deep run at Roland Garros. The Italian Open, with its passionate crowds and unforgiving clay, continues to reveal the heart of its competitors, and Alcaraz’s battle against fatigue is a story of triumph that resonates far beyond the court.
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