Carlos Alcaraz reveled at playing on one of the outside courts at the China Open, named Lotus Court, as it evoked happy memories from the past that have a place in Spain's Olympic folklore.
Alcaraz was only five years old when countryman Rafael Nadal won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, beating Chile's Fernando Gonzalez in straight sets in the final. The tennis matches at the Olympic Games 15 years ago were held at the National Tennis Center, formerly known as the Olympic Green Tennis Center in Beijing.
Now 20, Alcaraz is competing at this year's China Open, staged at the same setting, on his first trip to Beijing. The two-time Grand Slam champion's campaign ended at the semifinal stage where he was surprisingly beaten by rival Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
That match was played in the main court - the Diamond Court - which has a capacity of 15,000 spectators. But Alcaraz experienced what it was like to play in Lotus, the venue where Nadal became the first Spanish player to win a gold medal at the Olympics, during his quarterfinal win over Casper Ruud.
In an interview with Puntodebreak, Alcaraz mentioned that it was a special moment to play on that court given the history behind it, and most importantly, he was able to connect with the fans as the proximity to them was closer than the bigger Diamond Court.
"It was great. Honestly, it is an incredible court. I have felt great, I have not felt the difference, really. I would even say that I like it more, it has been great. Knowing that Rafa won his Olympic medal on this court makes it even more special for me, the truth is that I loved it."
"As for the surface, I didn't feel any difference, the speed of the ball was obviously the same. I only felt the difference with respect to the stadium: the Diamond (Central) is more bigger than the Lotus, here you feel that people are closer to you, and that is something I like."
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