Carlos Alcaraz has complaint about the Barcelona Open despite reaching the semi-finals, ‘it’s not the same’

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Carlos Alcaraz has enjoyed a strong start to his 2025 Barcelona Open campaign and is yet to drop a set.

Two-time champion Alcaraz returned to the Barcelona Open in 2025 with his eyes firmly set on reclaiming the title he lost last year when he missed the tournament through injury.

Alcaraz beat Ethan Quinn in his opening match, 6-2, 7-6, to book his place in the last 16 with a convincing win in front of his home crowd.

The world number two then produced another strong performance, as Alcaraz took down Laslo Djere in straight sets, advancing to the quarterfinals.

Securing his second top-ten win of the season, Alcaraz won his quarterfinal match at the Barcelona Open and then shared his thoughts on the conditions at this year’s tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz said the conditions in Barcelona are ‘not the same’ as before after beating Alex de Minaur

Alcaraz beat Australia’s Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-3, in an entertaining quarterfinal match, sending him into the last four.

During his post-match press conference, Alcaraz shared his one complaint for the tournament, which he has won twice before.

“The court is not in the conditions that I have played before,” he said.

“They didn’t exactly explain it to us.

“I heard that the manager retired and maybe those changes can affect the courts.

“It’s dirt, we know the bounces are going to be bad and there are certain things that maybe aren’t in the condition you would like.

“It’s not the same as in previous years.”

Alcaraz isn’t the only player to have given their honest opinions on the courts, as Stefanos Tsitsipas assessed the Barcelona Open conditions earlier in the week.

“I feel like conditions here are slightly slower and bouncier than in Monte-Carlo,” said Tsitsipas.

Alcaraz may not be best pleased with the conditions in Barcelona, but he isn’t letting it affect his performances as he now prepares for another tough match against French youngster Arthur Fils.

Carlos Alcaraz has never lost against a player younger than him on the ATP Tour

Standing between Alcaraz and a place in the Barcelona Open final is Fils, whom he beat at the Monte-Carlo Masters recently.

Battling back from a set down in the quarterfinals, Alcaraz took down Fils, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, in the principality.

Alcaraz’s win over Fils was his sixth against a player younger than him, as the Spaniard remained unbeaten against his younger ATP Tour rivals.

• 2025 Barcelona Open 1R – Carlos Alcaraz beat Ethan Quinn, 6-2, 7-6
• 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters QF – Carlos Alcaraz beat Arthur Fils, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
• 2025 Qatar Open 2R – Carlos Alcaraz beat Luca Nardi, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
• 2024 Shanghai Masters 2R – Carlos Alcaraz beat Juncheng Shang, 6-2, 6-2
• 2024 China Open 1R – Carlos Alcaraz beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 6-4, 6-4
• 2024 Wimbledon 1R – Carlos Alcaraz beat Mark Lajal, 7-6, 7-5, 6-2
• 2024 Australian Open 3R – Carlos Alcaraz beat Juncheng Shang, 6-1, 6-1, 1-0 (RET)

The Frenchman will no doubt provide a tough test for Alcaraz in Barcelona, having enjoyed a strong start to his 2025 season.

Only Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik has amassed more points this year among players younger than Alcaraz.

It remains to be seen if Fils can continue his strong start to the year by snapping Alcaraz’s streak against younger opponents.

Alcaraz and Fils will play for a place in the Barcelona Open final on Saturday, April 19.