Top seed Rafael Nadal will begin his bid for a 6th Madrid title when he takes the court against Carlos Alcaraz during second-round action on Wednesday afternoon. They practiced together at the Australian Open, where Alcaraz reached the second round.
Date: May 5, 2021
Match time: Not before 3 PM local time / 9 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 2 PM BST – United Kingdom / 3 PM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 11 PM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Carlos on playing Rafa:
“For me, to play against Rafa is a dream come true. Since I was a kid, I wished to play a match against Rafa and now I will be able to here [on] the Centre Court of La Caja Magica in Madrid. It is a really special match against Rafa.”
Rafa is already the youngest champion in Mutua Madrid Open history (19 in 2005). If he wins his sixth Madrid title on 9 May (won 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017), the 34-year-old will become the oldest Mutua Madrid Open champion too. He is coming off of his 12th Barcelona title on 25 April and boasts a 143-18 record overall in Spain.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Lovely moment at the end with Feli presenting a birthday cake to Carlos and Rafa telling him not to eat the whole thing. 😂❤️
I agree. All Spanish trio. 🥰
Will this be the quickest match in Madrid history? In a Master’s history.
Rafa wants to make sure he doesn’t miss the Real Madrid game😂
Good luck to Real Madrid!😁
Rafa’s looking good. Glad Carlos got on the scoreboard to prevent the bagel.
Very exciting time for Carlos…. He gets to play the man…
Today, he will find out what running right,left … right left… right left… is all about…
I am so looking forward to seeing our boy on court….
Rafa …stay focused and in command…. Hoping for a 2 set victory….
VAMOS RAFA!!!!
Carlos is still learning, Rafa will beat him in streight sets, he is the champion that’s y this cup will go streight to his Cabet, vavamos my champion can’t wait to see u on court, vavas to the mos
Playing these youngsters cannot be easy – Rafa somehow finds a way to do this as he clearly does his homework before a match – good luck we know you can do it!!!
The best luck tomorrow rafa
Be the Rafa this young man whom you are playing admired so much. He can now see how right he was!! You can mentor him right there on the court showing him the ropes to winning ways!!! Vamos, vamos!!!!
Rafa good luck vamosssssss champ remember you are the King of Clay 💪💪💪😘🎾💪💪💪
Rafa don’t be alarmed in the slightest at playing any of these teenagers. You can and have taken on the Next Gen….the recorded statistics you’ve set from being a Junior right through to this present day…will never be repeated. Grand Slams, all the Masters, 2 Olympic Gold Medals you have won…you are the GOAT. You have made the history books.
Vamos the Champion of the Champions
I was thinking it’d be the evening match, but I’m assuming that Rafa and most of the reporters want to be back at their hotels before Real Madrid and Chelsea kick off, and that’s why it isn’t!
That is what I heard too.
On the subjet of Rafa and youth, it seems like his rivals are not only getting younger but better as well. Young Carlos seems to be very quick around the court with a difficult serve. Rafa’s possible round of 16 opponent, Mr Sinner, is said to hit the ball harder than anyone on tour.
But taking it one match at a time Rafa will prevail. Go Rafa!!!
Best of luck to Rafa, hope he wins in straight sets, so the birthday boy can celebrate his BD early.😉
Carlos says it’s the best present 🎁 playing Rafa on his birthday.
Happy birthday to Carlos!🥳 Vamosssss Rafa 💪🎾❤️
Good luck and Vamos Rafa❤️
Wishing you the best of luck tomorrow Rafa, Vamos x
Yesterday Alcaraz demolished Mannarino 6-4, 6-0.
GOOD LUCK RAFA
Mannarino is more of a hard court player. Looking forward to the match! Vamos Rafa!!!