Prior to the men’s singles final, Daniela Hantuchova alleged that the Madrid Open organizers had a special treatment in favor of Carlos Alcaraz who was about to face big server Jan-Lennard Struff. The court had been watered several times, which the retired professional stated would help the top seed Carlos Alcaraz return his opponent’s huge serve. The winner will compete against Jan-Lennard Struff, the only lucky loser to ever make it to a Masters final.
Daniela commented: “One thing guys I do want to point out, the groundspeople have watered the court twice since we’ve been talking. So I feel they’re trying to make the court as slow as possible so it’s easier for Carlos to return that serve. But that doesn’t happen, that was the first time this week that I noticed that he’s already covered at least this side twice with the water.”
Hantuchova added: “Especially on clay, that’s what we were kind of always expecting when you play a Spanish player here or in Italy when you play someone from Italy.”
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
Ranked world no.2, Alcaraz played his last match on the 7th of May when he overcame world no.28 Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the final in Madrid to win his 10th career title.
Until now, during this year Alcaraz has achieved a compiled 29-2 win-loss record. Alcaraz has won 4 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona and Madrid. Alcaraz was the runner-up in Rio de Janeiro.