"Need Carlos Alcaraz to destroy him"; "More of this"- Tennis fans divided as Spaniard's Wimbledon 1R opponent Mark Lajal seemingly issues challenge

Mark Lajal, Carlos Alcaraz’s first-round opponent at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, seemingly sent out a warning to the Spaniard ahead of their clash. While several tennis fans were impressed by the move, a few did not appreciate it.

Alcaraz, the defending champion at SW19, opens his campaign on Monday, July 1, on Centre Court against No. 262-ranked qualifier Mark Lajal. The tournament marks Lajal’s first-ever Grand Slam main-draw appearance after three consecutive failed attempts in the qualifying rounds of last year's US Open and this year's Australian Open and French Open.

Mark Lajal, who got the better of Francesco Passaro, Henrique Rocha, and James Duckworth in the qualifiers at Wimbledon, though, is seemingly unfazed by his upcoming challenge.

When the US Open’s official social media account shared Carlos Alcaraz’s potential "road to the final," Lajal’s compatriot, Alexander Georg Mandma, boldly questioned the Spaniard’s chances of making the stage, hinting that his friend had the ability to cause an upset.

"What road to the final? First round exit, byebye," he wrote on his Instagram stories.

The Estonian supported his compatriot’s comment by reposting it. Several tennis fans approved of the 21-year-old’s confidence.

"No no I love this guy’s mentality. That’s the way it should be really , not to kneel down and lose mentally before you’re even on the court," one fan said.

"Need more of this in tennis because now I’m so hyped to watch it," another fan said.

"Idk who mark lajal is but im his #1 fan from now on," yet another fan said.

A few of Alcaraz’s fans, however, did not appreciate the seemingly audacious move. They opined that Lajal would have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to stand a chance against the three-time Grand Slam champion.

"Not charlie’s r1 opponent reposting this. Charlie charlie you have one job," one fan said.

"I usually like confidence but this feels so stupid ahahaha If bro doesn’t win a set he looks like an idiot," one fan opined.

"Need Carlos to destroy him," yet another fan said.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:

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Carlos Alcaraz chases his 15th career title at Wimbledon 2024

Carlos Alcaraz pictured at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships (Image Source: Getty)

Carlos Alcaraz would fancy his chances in the opening round of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, despite the challenge issued by Mark Lajal. He has an impressive 55-11 win-loss record in best-of-five matches at Grand Slams.

In 2024, the Spaniard reached his maiden quarterfinals at the Australian Open and won his first French Open title, becoming the youngest player in ATP history to complete the Surface Slam. It is worth noting that he battled through a pronator teres injury during his claycourt campaign.

Alcaraz's remarkable display at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships cannot be forgotten either. During his title run, the 21-year-old beat the likes of 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini, rival Holger Rune, former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, and four-time defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Apart from clinching the title in Paris in 2024, Carlos Alcaraz also defended his Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells in March. The World No. 3 is thus one of the top favorites to win his second Wimbledon title. He is in pursuit of his third trophy of the season and 15th overall.