BARCELONA/STARNBERG, April 15, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz is back on home soil but admitted he needed time to find his rhythm after a challenging start to his Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell campaign, following his 6-2, 6-4 first-round victory over Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen on Tuesday.
“The truth is, it was tough,” Alcaraz said after the match. “My first contact with Barcelona was just an hour of practice this morning, and right after that I had to go out and compete. The conditions are completely different, so it took me a while, especially at the beginning, to find the right rhythm and dynamics. But little by little I started to feel better, adapting more and more to the conditions here, and I ended up playing at a good level.”
The Spanish top seed of the ATP 500 event also revealed he experienced some physical discomfort, which he attributed to a lack of recovery time after a demanding stretch of matches. “They are just minor issues that come up when you don’t have many days to recover and everything comes one after the other,” he explained. “Sometimes they appear with movements that aren’t very usual. I tried to stay calm, relax more—especially in the second set—and see how things go. Now the physio will assess me, we’ll talk with the team and decide what to do. I’ve had these kinds of issues before and they’ve never turned into anything serious, so hopefully it will be the same this time.”
Demanding tennis calendar
Looking beyond his match, Alcaraz shared his clear stance on the structure of the ATP calendar, reiterating his preference for shorter events. “I’ve always defended one-week tournaments, and I’ll keep doing so,” he said. “If Madrid, for example, were one week, I would have next week free. The same with Rome. I think the best tennis, especially at Masters 1000 events, is seen in that format. We saw it in Monte Carlo with incredible matches from day one. It’s more attractive for the fans and helps bring in people who are not used to watching tennis.”
Speaking about his opponent, Alcaraz was not surprised by Virtanen’s level. “I know he’s a great player, but probably more suited to faster, indoor courts. Clay might be a bit more difficult for him,” he said. “Still, I’ve followed him closely. He’s used to playing Challengers and has had very good results. I’m sure he will keep improving.”
The 22-year-old Murcia native also opened up about the mental side of the game and the impact of social media. “I’m someone who probably checks social media more than I should,” Alcaraz admitted. “And of course, things affect you. Everyone is human. Some comments can make you doubt what you’re capable of, especially after losses. I’ve experienced that too. That’s why it’s so important to have the right people around you. I’m lucky to have my family and a great team who support me and lift me up in difficult moments.”
As for his immediate plans, Alcaraz remained cautious. “I don’t know yet,” he said. “I’ve been on the bike and spoken a bit with the team about how I feel, but the physio hasn’t assessed me yet. I’ll go back, get checked, and then we’ll decide the plan for tomorrow. If I need to rest, I will, but the goal is to be in the best possible condition for Thursday.”
New generation of Spanish players
Finally, Alcaraz also took time to praise rising Spanish talent Rafa Jodar, highlighting his rapid progress on the Tour. “He’s a great player,” Alcaraz said. “I had the chance to practice with him at the Davis Cup and again in Australia, and I could already see what he’s capable of. What he has achieved since then is impressive. He’s an exceptional guy on and off the court, with great values. I’m really happy for him and always try to congratulate him when he does well. Having other young players like Martin Landaluce coming through will help them push each other to improve. They both have a great future ahead.”
— Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (@bcnopenbs) April 15, 2026
