Alcaraz-Struff, much more than the title is at stake in Madrid

Carlos Alcaraz and Jan-Lennard Struff are playing today (18:30, Teledeporte, RTVE Play, Movistar+ and ATP Tennis TV) much more than the Masters 1000 title in Madrid in what will be an unexpected finale at the Caja Mágica. The Murcian has the chance to lift the champion’s trophy in the Spanish capital for the second consecutive year and draw level with Alexander Zverev and Andy Murray with two titles, just one behind Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, with three wins each.

This is the main goal that the man from El Palmar has on his list of possible achievements for today, but it is not the only one. Alcaraz has a 100% win rate in Masters 1000 finals in the three finals he has played in (Miami 2022, Madrid 2022 and Indian Wells 2023), and will look to continue that winning streak. Additionally, a win in Madrid would see the Murcian arrive at Roland Garros as world number one. He would only need to play in Rome to confirm it, something Alcaraz himself has confirmed he will do, except in a force majeure situation.

Spanish clay goes well with Spanish. Twenty consecutive wins between the last two tournaments. Ever since he defeated the Korean Kwon in Barcelona last year, the Murcian has not known what it’s like to lose on the clay of his country. The data inspires optimism for Alcaraz’s tenth ATP title, but his rival, despite his 65th place in the rankings, will not make it easy for him.

The 33-year-old Struff reached the grand final after completing one of the greatest feats in tennis history. Never before has a lucky loser reached the Masters 1000 final after falling in the previous stage. The German, however, will be looking to seal the feat with a win over the fittest player on the planet in his own country and against a dunking ground with Murciano. “It’s a bit of a crazy story, an incredible journey. I couldn’t have imagined this, to be in the final now,” the Teutonic admitted after defeating Karatsev in the semi-finals. He also doesn’t know what it’s like to win an ATP title.

Alcaraz’s superiority is unquestionable. They have a lot more tennis resources and their form is unbeatable, with 28 wins this season and only two losses.

But precedents confirm that Struff is a difficult opponent for Alcaraz. The German has already defeated Murcia on the fast track in the third round of Roland Garros 2021. They also recently met at Wimbledon 2022, where Carlitos had to sweat it out to defeat the Teutonic in five sets. “When we met at Roland Garros, he was 18 years old. It has changed a lot since then. It is amazing what he has achieved in this time. I managed to beat him in Paris and I was very close at Wimbledon,” Struff said of his clashes against Alcaraz who, despite being the favourite, will have to fight against a player who dreams of writing his name in tennis history.