Rune surprises everyone and Alcaraz is left without Godó

Holger Rune was crowned champion of the 2025 Conde de Godó Trophy after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in a hard-fought final that ended 7-6 (6) and 6-2. The Murcian, suffering from physical discomfort in his psoas during the second set, could not match the Dane's level. The first set was the charm for a Dane in the Godó final after 72 editions held, and just one year after a Nordic player, Norwegian Casper Ruud, made his debut. Rune, who is 21 years old, like Alcaraz, has become the first tennis player from his country to win in the history of the Catalan tournament.

Alcaraz, who arrived in Barcelona ready to make good on his status as favorite and defending champion, came out with intensity, breaking his opponent's serve and showing his usual aggressiveness from the baseline. However, Rune was able to withstand the initial onslaught. The Murcian, clearly going from more to less, could not beat the Dane in a first set that went to the tie-breakerRune's mental strength and a couple of unforced errors from Alcaraz tipped the balance. In the second set, Alcaraz suffered an injury and was unable to maintain the high level he had displayed at times.

Alcaraz began to experience physical discomfort that limited his movement and his ability to compete with the intensity we're used to. In fact, the Rafa Nadal court feared a possible withdrawal from its favorite player. Ultimately, despite remaining in the match, the Murcian was overwhelmed by Rune, who intelligently took advantage of the situation. The Dane broke Alcaraz's serve in the third game of the second set and took control of the match.

"It wasn't to be"

Finally, showing off his growth as a tennis player, the Dane won the Godó, which consolidates him as a new emerging star of the Next Gen. "It's an incredible feeling. I'm very proud to have won here, in front of such a special crowd and against an opponent like Carlos," declared a visibly moved Rune to a sportsmanlike Alcaraz, who acknowledged his opponent's merit. "It's been a very intense week, two weeks of non-stop, of maximum demands every day. The support from Barcelona every year I come here is incredible, but today couldn't be. If it's not the most special, it's one of the most special. Thank you very much for such a beautiful week."

The Spanish tennis player probably noticed the accumulation of matches since the beginning of the European clay-court tour. He won in Monte Carlo and reached the final in Barcelona. A final that, after an hour and forty minutes, ended with the victory of Holger Rune.