'He wrote to me...': Carlos Alcaraz reveals Rafael Nadal’s encouraging message after his Barcelona Final Defeat to Rune

Carlos Alcaraz’s quest to mirror Rafael Nadal’s dominance at the Barcelona Open hit a stumbling block as the Spaniard lost the final to Holger Rune. Alcaraz, who entered the tournament as the top seed, was beaten 7-6(6), 6-2 by Rune, the sixth seed, in a match that also sparked concerns over a possible injury.

Heading into the final, Alcaraz was aiming to claim his third consecutive Barcelona Open title following his triumphs in 2022 and 2023. Rune, however, spoiled that bid, capturing his first title at the event and his fifth ATP title overall.

Ironically, Rune had earlier called Alcaraz “the world’s best clay player” before the Monte Carlo Masters—a tournament Alcaraz would go on to win. But in Barcelona, Rune turned the tables with a strong performance, halting Alcaraz’s momentum and placing a dent in his clay-court campaign.

Alcaraz Receives Encouragement from Rafael Nadal

Following the defeat, Alcaraz revealed that Rafael Nadal reached out to offer support amid injury concerns.

“He wrote to me,” Alcaraz shared. “To give me some encouragement, telling me he hopes that I’m not injured and that in a few days I can train again and give my all.”

Alcaraz received treatment during the final for what appeared to be an upper leg issue—an alarming development as the demanding clay season progresses.

Nadal and Alcaraz: Spain’s Clay Court Dominance

Rafael Nadal's presence here is second to none, much as he could be with his 12 titles in this event alongside another five in Madrid-a record of having 22-open grand slam championships-have made him a shining icon of the Spanish tennis avowal. The tradition of local triumph continues in the footsteps of Alcaraz, who has now taken over the reins in winning both events in the years 2022 and 2023.

Indeed, since the inception of the tournament in 2002, Spanish players have won no fewer than eight titles, numbering, namely: 5 for Nadal, 2 for Alcaraz, and 1 for Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is Alcaraz's coach, in 2003.

MD Now Awaits after the Drenching Storm of Injuries in the Road

His focus now shifts to Madrid, which awaits Alcaraz's next appearance as it is yet another big event where he will be participating as a two-time defending champion. Just the same, he boasts the same record in Madrid as in Barcelona-in which he bagged the title on both occasions in 2022 and 2023.

Last year, the Spaniard put himself among the big boys by defeating Alexander Zverev and Jan-Lennard Struff in the knockout rounds. Well, he did get a bye in the first round in Madrid but has an upper leg issue rearing its ugly head that flared up against Rune. He is suddenly not quite ready.