How Carlos Alcaraz’s Barcelona Open record compares to Rafael Nadal’s at the same age

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.

Two titles before turning 23 is impressive by any standard, even if it doesn’t quite stack up to what Nadal achieved at the same age.

Nadal had five straight titles under his belt before turning 23 – from 2005 through to 2009. The streak ended when he pulled out of the tournament the following year due to fatigue.

What Rafael Nadal said after his last Barcelona Open victory

Nadal picked up his 12th and final Barcelona title in 2021, getting past Stefanos Tsitsipas in a match that saw him save a match point before winning 6–4, 6–7, 7–5.

Speaking about the win, Nadal said: “I think I never played a final like this in this tournament, so it means a lot to me against a player like him, [after what] he achieved in Monte-Carlo and [that he reached] the final here without losing a set,”

“It is an important victory for me. I think I have been increasing my level during the whole week and this victory confirms it. That’s important for today.

Reflecting on his approach to challenges, Nadal added: “It’s about accepting the challenge. It is about being humble enough to accept that sometimes you are not playing that well and you need to fight for it and you need to try to find solutions every day. That’s what I did.”

Addressing fans after the match, Nadal said: “For me, the simple fact of being able to play in Barcelona after last year’s tournament wasn’t held means a lot to me.”

“After almost a year of not being able to experience playing in front of a crowd, these are incredible feelings. I really appreciate the love and support you all have shown me throughout my career. Playing in my club and in front of fans means a lot.”

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