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Young, fearless, victorious: Rune captures Barcelona Open glory

On Sunday, the Danish player captured one of the biggest wins of his young career by defeating two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(6), 6-2 in a thrilling final at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo April 20, 2025

The match took place at the iconic Pista Rafa Nadal, packed with passionate fans rallying for Carlos Alcaraz / Photo via Barcelona Open

Holger Rune has made it clear—he’s ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with the ATP Tour’s elite. At just 23 years old, Rune delivered a commanding performance on clay, sending a bold message to the sport’s top contenders: among the new generation of stars, his name deserves a prime spot.

Ranked No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Rune thrived under the intense pressure of a home crowd fully behind his opponent. The match took place at the iconic Pista Rafa Nadal, packed with passionate fans rallying for Carlos Alcaraz, who was chasing a 15th consecutive win at the Barcelona Open. Despite the fervent atmosphere and Alcaraz’s attempt to secure a third title in Barcelona, Rune remained focused and undeterred.

“It means the world to me—what an incredible match,” Rune said after the win, leveling his Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Alcaraz to 2-2. “I was tense at the start; Carlos plays at such a high level. But once I settled in and found my rhythm, I was able to play my game. The first set was a war, and winning it gave me the boost I needed. I’m really proud of how I handled everything.”

A rivalry awakens

Securing his fifth ATP Tour title, Rune showcased immense physical and mental resilience throughout the encounter. Alcaraz threw everything at him, unleashing relentless groundstrokes that would have broken down most players. Yet Rune responded with equally stunning shot-making, chasing down balls and turning defense into offense in jaw-dropping fashion.

He battled through an early service break, saved two set points at 4-5, 15/40, and overturned a 1-3 deficit in the tiebreak to steal the opening set. That clutch performance opened the door to victory at the Barcelona Open.

Rune’s statement wins

Playing in blustery conditions, Rune kept his composure as the match intensified. Alcaraz, clearly troubled by his right adductor, called for a medical timeout at 2-1 in the second set. Despite returning to the court, the Spaniard couldn’t find his rhythm again and failed to win another game. Rune took full advantage, closing out the match with clinical efficiency.

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Una publicación compartida por Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (@bcnopenbs)

Alcaraz, meanwhile, continues to build momentum on clay despite the setback. The Monte Carlo Masters 1000 champion had been aiming to claim back-to-back titles on his favorite surface and entered Barcelona with confidence. Now, as the defending Roland Garros champion, he’ll set his sights on the upcoming Mutua Madrid Open, where he’ll once again headline the field and compete in front of an eager Spanish crowd.

Key information

Who won the 2025 Barcelona Open final? Holger Rune defeated Carlos Alcaraz.
How many ATP Tour titles has Rune won after this victory? Five titles.
What happened to Alcaraz during the second set? He experienced discomfort in his right leg and called a medical timeout.
Where will Alcaraz compete next after the Barcelona Open? At the Mutua Madrid Open.