How Carlos Alcaraz’s Barcelona Open record compares to Rafael Nadal’s at the same age
Rafael Nadal has had more success at the Barcelona Open than anyone else in the tournament’s history. Across 16 years, from 2005 to 2021, he won an incredible 12 titles on the clay courts.
Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images for Laureus Rafael Nadal has had more success at the Barcelona Open than anyone else in the tournament’s history. Across 16 years, from 2005 to 2021, he won an incredible 12 titles on the clay courts. Nadal claimed his first title there at just 18, defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets: 6–1, 7–6, 6–3.
Carlos Alcaraz may be a long way off reaching that level of success, but he will try to find some success for himself before his career wraps up. But that still feels like a tall order. He’s yet to get hold of the title and probably won’t be getting close to Nadal any time soon.
How Carlos Alcaraz’s Barcelona Open record compares to Rafael Nadal’s Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Alcaraz has two Barcelona Open titles to his name at just 22 years old, a strong start by any measure. He claimed his first in 2022, getting the better of fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta in the final. A year later, he held onto the title, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4.
The back-to-back wins put him in rare company – only Rafael Nadal had ever defended a title there before him. Carlos Alcaraz’s record in Barcelona Alcaraz missed the 2024 event through injury and returned in 2025 but fell short in the final against Holger Rune. This year, he’s started well enough with a straight-set win over Otto Virtanen.