Carlos Alcaraz, who plays this Friday against American Sebastian Korda, and Paula Badosa, who will face Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka this Saturday, is the only survivor of Spanish tennis after the dispute in just two rounds of singles.
Of the fourteen players who made it into the main draw, eight men and six women, only two made it to the third round. Thirteen (eight men and 5 women) entered in 2023, the lowest participation in 33 years of Spanish tennis in Paris. A warning.
This is the worst total for Spanish tennis in forty years. Two representatives in the third round is the worst result since 1983, when they arrived Fernando Luna (eighth) and Pepe Higueras (semifinals).
In the men’s event, the fact that only Alcaraz was ahead was reminiscent of the 1988 edition, with Emilio Sánchez Vicario fell in the round of 16 against the American Michael Chang. In the feminine is his sister Arantxa Sánchez Vicariowhich reached the quarterfinals as a preview of its success in 1989, and Conchita Martinez.
This is the first time since 1995 that Spanish men’s tennis has come without a clay court title in the season of the main ATP Tour circuit.
Although Alcaraz is among the favorites, Spanish tennis suffers in its upper and middle class. Went back Rafael Nadal, but the draw wanted to cross him with Alexander Zverev, and he did not have time to consolidate his improvement. With a few more games, he was in a more equal situation with his status as a fourteen-time champion.
Veterans like it Roberto Bautista and Pablo Carreño They had physical problems, Roberto Carballés collided with Novak Djokovic and Alejandro Davidovich lost in the fifth against Casper Ruud. The relief of the group does not come, the ladder that covers all the steps is cracked.
Sergi Bruguera was champion, but with Alberto Berasategui in the final. With Carlos Moyà, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Albert Costa coming in to replace Àlex Corretja or Fèlix Mantilla. David Ferrer has been with Rafa Nadal for many years.
Paula Badosa is battling a chronic back injury. Garbine Muguruza He only retired after stopping competing a year ago.
The wheel did not turn as it did when Arantxa Sánchez appeared in 1989, the start of a prosperous era that could continue if Carlos Alcaraz and Paula Badosa they advanced. But it is more individual than group. Also waiting for modalities like doubles, where Marcel Granollers He is the world number 1 with Argentine Horacio Zeballos.
Worse in 1981, when no Spaniard reached the third round, they stayed in the second round Ángel Giménez, Roberto Vizcaíno and Gabriel Urpí.
Source: La Verdad
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