In a gripping showdown at the 2025 Barcelona Open, Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three, faced a stinging defeat against his childhood friend Holger Rune, losing 7-6(8-6), 6-2 in the final on April 20. The Spanish tennis prodigy, who had been riding a nine-match clay-court winning streak, admitted that a lack of patience in the crucial first set was a pivotal factor in allowing Rune to seize control and claim his first ATP title since 2023. As Alcaraz prepares for the upcoming Madrid Open, his candid reflections offer insight into a rare misstep for the four-time Grand Slam champion and his determination to rebound on home soil.
The Barcelona final was a clash of young titans, with Alcaraz, 21, and Rune, also 21, showcasing their long-standing rivalry that dates back to their junior days. Alcaraz entered the match as the favorite, fresh off a Monte Carlo Masters title and unbeaten in Barcelona since 2021, having won the tournament in 2022 and 2023. The first set was a high-octane battle, with both players trading thunderous groundstrokes on the Pista Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz struck first, breaking Rune’s serve to lead 3-2, but the Dane responded immediately, leveling the score at 3-3. Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz pinpointed his impatience as a critical error. “A little patience,” he said post-match, acknowledging that his aggressive approach lacked the necessary restraint against Rune’s tactical resilience. “He took advantage of that really well,” Alcaraz added, crediting Rune’s ability to capitalize on his rushed shot-making.
Rune’s strategy, inspired by Novak Djokovic’s Olympic final victory over Alcaraz in 2024, emphasized endurance and consistency. “I told myself, ‘What did Novak do when he beat him?’ I tried to play that style, making him play a lot of balls,” Rune revealed. This approach paid dividends in the first-set tiebreak, where Alcaraz’s 10th forehand unforced error—a long shot—handed Rune the set after the Spaniard fended off four set points. The momentum shifted decisively, and Alcaraz struggled to regain his footing. “The first set was a big battle, it was super important to win it and gain the momentum,” Rune noted, highlighting how his composure in clutch moments set the tone for the match.
The second set saw Alcaraz’s challenges compound. Leading 2-1, he required a medical timeout for discomfort in his right psoas muscle, a core muscle critical for movement. “At the start of the second set, everything was very intense, and I felt the adductor in my right leg was very strained,” he explained. Returning with heavy strapping, Alcaraz’s movement was visibly restricted, and he failed to win another game as Rune surged to a 6-2 victory, committing fewer unforced errors (24 to Alcaraz’s 33) and dominating at the net, winning 12 of 16 points. Despite the loss, Alcaraz remained gracious, praising Rune’s performance during the trophy ceremony. “Congratulations for an amazing week,” he told Rune. “We’ve been seeing each other since 12 years old. I’m happy to see us in this position. How far we’ve come together.”
The defeat ended Alcaraz’s 14-match winning streak in Barcelona and saw him drop to world number three, overtaken by Alexander Zverev, who won the Munich Open the same day. Yet, Alcaraz drew inspiration from his idol, Rafael Nadal, who messaged him post-match with encouragement. “I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week,” Alcaraz said, marveling at Nadal’s ability to conquer Monte Carlo and Barcelona consecutively in 2018. “Winning everything consecutively is kind of impossible.” With the Madrid Open looming, where Alcaraz is a two-time champion (2022, 2023), he remains optimistic about his recovery. “I’ll take two days of rest and then speak with the doctors and get some tests done. I trust that this won’t prevent me from being in Madrid,” he said.
As Alcaraz looks to regroup, his Barcelona loss serves as a reminder of the fine margins in elite tennis. Rune’s victory, propelling him back into the ATP top 10 at number nine, underscores the Dane’s potential to challenge the sport’s best. For Alcaraz, the setback is a learning opportunity, fueling his drive to refine his patience and reclaim his clay-court dominance in the Spanish capital.
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