"There are no friends": Carlos Alcaraz issues warning to Holger Rune ahead of Barcelona Open final

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz has opened up what it is going to be like when he faces Denmark’s Holger Rune in the final of the Barcelona Open. The ATP 500 event is set to conclude on Sunday with the grand finale between the two.

Alcaraz, who is regarded as one of the best players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category along with the likes of Italy’s Jannik Sinner, cemented his place in the final of the competition after beating France’s Arthur Fils in the semifinal in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-4. On the other hand, Rune cemented his spot in the grand finale after beating Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the semifinal in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

Alcaraz spoke to the media before the all-important clash, as quoted by Tennis 365, where he talked about how it will feel to face a player whom he grew up with and played under-12 and under-14 tournaments. The reigning world number two stated that despite knowing his opponent for so long, there will be ‘no friends’ on the court on Sunday.

“He is someone who I grew up with, playing under-12 and under-14 tournaments together,” said Alcaraz. “We crossed paths in every tournament we played since we were little, and it’s marvellous to see how we have both grown and made it together to where we are. Tomorrow there are no friends. We both have to go out there to win.”

This will be the fourth meeting between the two players in professional tennis. In the previous three meetings, Alcaraz has a slight edge with two wins and one defeat. However, interestingly, the two have never faced each other on a clay court. Their most recent meeting came in the Wimbledon quarterfinal two years back, where Alcaraz came out on top in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.