Holger Rune has something he wants to say to ‘amazing’ Carlos Alcaraz after beating him in Barcelona Open final
Holger Rune ended Carlos Alcaraz’s winning streak with a determined victory in the Barcelona Open final, securing his first ATP 500 title and his first trophy in two years.
Rune overcame early nerves to beat the reigning Monte Carlo champion in a high-profile showdown on Pista Rafa Nadal, where he later revealed he’d drawn inspiration from Novak Djokovic in his preparation.
Despite Alcaraz visibly struggling with physical issues in the second set, Rune was full of respect and admiration for his fellow 21-year-old during his trophy ceremony speech.
“I want to say congratulations to you, not just for this week, but also for Monte Carlo,” Rune said to Alcaraz.
“You’re doing something truly amazing for tennis and sport in general. Congrats to your team as well—you’re all doing a fantastic job, and I wish you the best for the future.”
This final marked the fourth professional meeting between Rune and Alcaraz, with the head-to-head now tied at two wins each.
Alcaraz Responds with Praise for Rune
In return, Alcaraz was gracious in defeat and praised Rune’s resilience—especially after his opponent was forced to retire in Monte Carlo due to food poisoning.
“Congratulations Holger, on an amazing week,” Alcaraz said. “Coming from Monte Carlo, retiring, and then showing this level here in Barcelona—it’s incredible.
“Congrats to your team as well. We’ve known each other since we were 12. Time really flies. I’m happy to see how far we’ve come. Keep going.”
Ranking Implications and ATP Movement
Both players will remain inside the ATP Top 10 when rankings update on Monday:
- Rune climbs to World No. 9 following his Barcelona triumph.
- Alcaraz, despite reaching another final, will drop to World No. 3 after Alexander Zverev claimed the Munich Open title.
