Madrid Open director Feliciano Lopez handed Alcaraz the trophy there last year and he certainly sees him as someone whom you could consider as a chosen one.
Alcaraz lit the tennis world on fire last year with his incredible performances that started back in Rio early in the year. He would keep his level high for much of the year amazing players fans and colleagues alike. It culminated with his maiden grand slam trophy at the US Open after which injuries prevented him to do much damage during the indoor season.
Still he finished the year as number one in the world becoming the first one to do so after Nadal. To Lopez, he's just a perfect blend of everything:
"He represents Spain in the best way around the world. He is a chosen one, someone with charisma who reaches number 1 at the age of 19, winning a Grand Slam and who has very good values and transmits joy."
Speaking further on his compatriot, Lopez said:
"He is in an impressive moment and it is not easy to come back from various injuries and win two titles in an ATP 250 and a Masters 1000, being a finalist in an ATP 500 and a semifinalist in another Masters 1000. I trust that he and Rafa will do well in the next tournaments."
Alcaraz is among his favourite tennis players on the Tour. He named him alongsider Sinner and Tsitsipas in the same interview:
"Carlitos, Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is a little older, are the tennis players I like the most. Carlos and Jannik, whose confrontations are extremely tough, will be the ones who will lead world tennis in the future."
And added that he wants a Djokovic - Alcaraz rematch in Madrid:
"Hopefully Carlos will play with Djokovic again in Madrid and we will also have Rafa, who if he is healthy, will surely fight again for the big titles, and players like Casper Ruud, who made a lot of progress last year. In 2023 there is no clear favorite on clay."