Losing is never easy, especially in a final, and the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz made that clear after his straight-sets defeat to Holger Rune in last month’s Barcelona Open. “But, in general, I played a final in Barcelona, and I’m leaving here proud to have given my all,” said a heartbroken Alcaraz. And why wouldn’t he be gutted? He was riding high after his triumph at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he outclassed Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. But fortunes have flipped in Rome! At the Italian Masters, Alcaraz blazed his way to the final, and in doing so, he joined his idol in an exclusive club, surpassing American legends to join a rare and prestigious list on tour. 

The third seed, Carlos Alcaraz, once again showcased his trademark composure and relentless grit on Friday at the Italian Open in Rome, booking his place in the final of the prestigious tournament. The 22-year-old Spaniard powered past local favorite Lorenzo Musetti with a confident 6-3, 7-6(4) SF victory. Battling through challenging conditions, including swirling wind and a passionate Italian crowd, Alcaraz held his nerve to secure his 25th tour-level final appearance. Now, with his eyes firmly set on the title, he will face Italy’s very own Jannik Sinner in what promises to be a blockbuster final.

As Carlitos reached his maiden final in Rome, a remarkable statistic emerged. His latest win has put him ahead of American legends Pete Sampras and Jim Courier and has tied him with Swedish legend Stefan Edberg for the 2nd-most victories (77) in their first 100 ATP Masters 1000 matches. Since the format’s inception in 1990, only the iconic Rafael Nadal has achieved more, with an astonishing 83 wins. The accolades don’t stop there, though!

Alcaraz has now become just the 4th player to reach the final in over 25+% of the ATP Masters 1000 main draws he’s entered, a feat matched only by the “Big Three”, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. Furthermore, among players with at least 10 ATP Masters 1000 appearances since 1973, Alcaraz ranks just behind Bjorn Borg, Djokovic, and Boris Becker in winning percentage against top 10 ATP opponents, another glowing testament to his big-match mettle.

Having missed the Madrid Masters because of an adductor injury last month, Carlos Alcaraz has rebounded with striking form in Rome. With this SF win, he now leads the ATP Tour with 19 victories this season. The Rome semi-final marks his 14th win in his last 15 matches, a stretch that includes lifting the trophy in Monte Carlo and reaching the final in Barcelona. His consistency and hunger highlight a player inching closer to clay-court mastery.

And while he’s already brushing shoulders with national icons at the Masters level, he has recently opened up about working on improving his decision-making process on tour, yet another example of the maturity and mindset fueling his incredible rise.

“Difficult to choose the right decision,” Carlos Alacarz opens up about his process to deal with in-court decisions

Carlos Alcaraz’s electrifying style and charismatic personality have won over tennis fans across the globe ever since his ATP Tour debut in 2020. Since cementing his place among the elite in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2022, the 4-time GS winner has embraced his role as a showman. 

After missing the Madrid Open because of a left hamstring injury, he’s shown signs of rediscovering top form in Rome, collecting 5 impressive wins on the clay. His resurgence has pushed him past Alexander Zverev for the 2nd spot in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, setting up a thrilling showdown against current top seed Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final.

And while all eyes are on the blockbuster title clash between Alcaraz and Sinner, the Spaniard is also navigating challenges that go beyond physical recovery. Speaking candidly in his post-match interview after sealing a place in the Italian Open final, the 21-year-old opened up about the mental complexities of decision-making on court. “Sometimes it’s difficult because sometimes when I see the ball coming, a lot of things come to my mind. Sometimes it’s difficult to choose the right decision,” he explained. “But I’m trying to improve that part of my game, trying not to think too much and do the right things always, even if it is not the brilliant shot or the brilliant decision.”

Alcaraz emphasized the need for tactical discipline as well, especially in difficult conditions, highlighting the importance of patience and composure from the baseline. “You have to go to the smart decision, just trying to be patient, trying to wait for your chances,” he said. “If the points or the rally goes to 10, 12, 13 shots, you have to be ready for that battle. You have to be ready for that and try to wait until you can go aggressively. Sometimes it’s difficult, but I think today I did it pretty well.”

As Sunday’s final looms, Alcaraz prepares to face a formidable opponent in front of a passionate home crowd. While entertainment is usually part of his DNA, the stakes of an ATP Masters 1000 title mean focus will take precedence in both corners. So, with everything on the line, who are you backing in this much-anticipated clash: the fiery Spaniard or the Italian maestro? Share your thoughts below!