It was a moment of pride and affection at the Madrid Open 2026 ATP Masters 1000 tournament on Thursday, as World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz turned spectator to support his younger brother.
Alcaraz visited the Caja Mágica to witness the debut of his 14-year-old brother Jaime in the Under-16 section of the tournament. The competition, which brings together some of Spain’s most promising young talents, offers a rare opportunity to compete alongside ATP Tour stars and gain exposure at a major stage.
The top-ranked Spaniard watched from Court 7 as Jaime registered a confident 6-3, 6-3 win over compatriot Pol Mas in one of the most closely followed matches of the day. Carlos wished him luck before the match and remained in the stands with family members throughout the contest.
The Under-16 Madrid Open has grown into a key attraction at the ATP Masters 1000 event since its inception in 2013. Rising Spanish talents such as Martin Landaluce, Daniel Merida and Rafael Jodar have all previously featured in the event.
Alcaraz, who is missing the tournament due to a right wrist injury, holds a 22-3 record this season, according to the ATP Win/Loss Index.
Blockx stuns Ruud to reach semi-finals
In the main draw, Alexander Blockx upset 12th seed and defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals. The World No. 69 delivered an impressive all-round performance to outplay Ruud at the Manolo Santana Stadium.
“To be honest, I’m just happy to be here,” said Blockx, who also defeated third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo on his way to the last four. “Even winning my first match here felt like an achievement. Reaching the semi-finals is something I hadn’t even dreamed of.”
“I’m proud of how I’ve played in the past few matches. The conditions suit me well. It’s clay, so it’s slower and gives me time to settle and take my shots. At the same time, the altitude and heat make it play faster. It’s the perfect combination for me.”
-IANS
