Races through the aisles, disputes to win the few free seats that remained, a tier surrendered to the cry of “Go for them, hey!” and celebrating each point as if it were a penalty in the discount. The images described could well be from a Davis Cup match, a Grand Slam final or, at least, a big game in the Manolo Santana at the Caja Mágica. But this time, It is a second round men’s doubles match on court 3. The cause of all this has a name and surname: Carlos Alcaraz.
The order of play in Madrid, loaded with relevant matches during the day, relegated the second match of the pair formed by Marc López, who would retire after this Mutua Madrid Open, and Carlos Alcaraz to court 3. The 2,500 seats were occupied at all times, and the public completely dedicated to the couple, with the Club Dejaditas Alcaraz enjoying his idol in a much more intimate venue. After surprising in their first match and advancing to the round, the Spaniards once again faced two doubles specialists: the Dutchman Wesley Koolhof (champion of an ATP Finals) and the British Neal Skupski (winner of Wimbledon 2020). Dressed, by the way, in clothing that left no one indifferent.
The doubles players asserted their knowledge in the first set, which they won 6-3. However, as happened in their first meeting, Alcaraz and López were not satisfied with just enjoying the Madrid brick dust (which they did, and a lot), they also wanted victory. They reacted and took the second set, this time with a much more successful Marc López than two days ago, enjoying his last shots as a professional player. They forced the super tie-break and the stands went crazy. “Yes, you can,” cheered the audience. And they had it very close, but it was the mistakes of Alcaraz (surprisingly) and the successes of their rivals with the serve that condemned the Spanish couple.
It didn’t really taste like defeat, as Marc López received a warm ovation from those present, including Alcaraz, who left his partner the center of attention. The ‘Alcarazmania’ gave Marc, winner of an Olympic gold (along with Nadal in Rio 2016) and a Roland Garros (alongside Feliciano López in 2016), a goodbye at the height of his career. “I rescued Marc …”, Nadal’s friend joked at a press conference. “We all know that he has a unique talent, he deserves everything that has happened to him. He is a very good person, he has achieved things that no one had achieved in this country at twice the level.”Said the Balearic about López, now in his technical team. “On an official level he has retired, but you never know. There can always be a tournament where a double can be played. With me he has not retired, so he will have to play a double with me,” Rafa said.
