I don't see a better match right now than Alcaraz-Nadal" - Madrid Open director Feliciano Lopez on potential Rafael Nadal-Carlos Alcaraz QF

Madrid Open tournament director Feliciano Lopez believes Carlos Alcaraz would make for a dream opponent for 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the Spanish capital this week. The two players could meet in the quarterfinals, with Nadal having won their two previous matchups.

Alcaraz and Nadal were involved in a three-set three-hour slugfest in the Indian Wells semifinals six weeks ago. Although Alcaraz forced a deciding set, he ran out of steam in the decider as Nadal improved to 20-0 on the season. However, the left-hander lost to Taylor Fritz in the final and has been out of action since then with a rib injury.

Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Spaniard has gone from strength to strength this season, winning 23 of his 26 matches so far. Like Nadal, he has also won three titles this year.

Speaking about the possible blockbuster matchup between the two top-10 players this week at the Caja Magica, Lopez said:

"I don't see a better match right now than an Alcaraz-Nadal. Hopefully, but the tournament is very close. Nadal debuts on Wednesday, Carlos comes from winning in Barcelona... It would be a hypothetical match that everyone wants to see."

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"Players like Alcaraz make people get hooked on tennis" - Feliciano Lopez on Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz was ranked outside the top 30 before the 2022 season began

Ahead of Carlos Alcaraz's tournament opener in the Spanish capital on Tuesday evening, Lopez spoke about the 18-year-old's emergence on tour.

"It's very good news. His way of playing stands out. At a time when you see that many players play in a similar way, a boy comes out who plays with that self-confidence and that joy, who attacks, who is always looking for the winner."

Lopez said that the 18-year-old's energetic playing style attracts fans.

"He also has that energy that hooks people, also because of his style, that suddenly he makes a dropshot, serves and goes to the net, or hits a winner. He attracts people a lot. Players like Carlos make people get hooked on tennis."

About his compatriot's fabulous start to the year, Lopez said that his change in a span of two months has been tremendous and that Alcaraz "doesn't look the same".

"He played a good tournament in Australia and then won the title in Miami and Barcelona. They are players that you see play and in just two months he doesn't look the same".

Nadal will start his Madrid Open campaign againt either Miomir Kecmanovic or Alexander Bublik, while Alcaraz is set to play either Fabio Fognini or Nikoloz Basilashvili in his opener.