Alexander Blockx admits there is plenty of work to do in his game before challenging the world’s best players as he continues his fairytale run at the Madrid Masters.
The 21-year-old Belgian has elevated himself to the limelight following a series of high-profile wins in the Spanish capital. Earlier in the tournament, Blockx scored three consecutive wins over seeded players Brandon Nakashima, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Francisco Cerundolo to reach his first Masters 1000 quarter-final. He continued his winning run on Thursday with an impressive 6-4, 6-4 triumph over defending champion Casper Ruud. Out of those four matches, he only dropped one set against Nakashima. He was also taken to three sets in his opening match against Cristian Garin.
It is a significant breakthrough for Blockx, who entered April having yet to win a Tour-level match on clay or beat a top-20 player. He is only the third player born in 2005 or later to reach the last four of a Masters event and the first from his country to reach the last four in Madrid.
“I was already happy with getting into the main draw. I got into the main draw at the last minute on Friday, just before the deadline. So winning my first match here was already a bonus for me,” Blockx said of his Madrid run.
“Then, all the other matches, I never thought I would get that far. But once you get confident and you feel your game, a lot can happen.”
A former Australian Open junior champion, Blockx has made steady progress on the professional circuit. So far in his career, he has won four Challenger titles and was runner-up to Learner Tien at last year’s Next Gen Finals in Saudi Arabia. Madrid is only the fifth time he has played in the main draw of a Masters event.
So has been the key to his breakthrough?
“I was just practicing and doing my thing like I always did. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes not. This week it’s paying off,” he commented.
“I never had too much confidence on clay the last couple of years. But I cannot say that anymore with the results I am getting. I think I improved a lot on all my shots and my physicality.
“I think the conditions here (in Madrid) are a bit quicker than the usual clay, so that helps as well. But I definitely like clay now.”
Blockx isn’t the only youngster to impress the Tour in recent days. Another is Spain’s Rafael Jodar, who received high praise from Jannik Sinner following their match. As of this week, there are 11 players aged 21 or under in the ATP top 100.
The question is, can this generation of players get to a stage where they can challenge the stronghold of Sinner and Alcaraz, who has won the last nine Grand Slams between them.
“We will definitely try,” said Blockx. “I think they are still a big level ahead of us. But that’s why we play this sport, to be able to have a chance to compete with them.
“It will be really difficult, but if you believe in it, then you have a small chance.”
Coaching Blockx is former player Ruben Bemelmans, who has full control of the training program following the mysterious departure of long-time mentor Philippe Cassiers. The tennis player told the media that he currently doesn’t want to discuss the situation surrounding Cassiers’ departure. Meanwhile, Bemelmans has added more intrigue to the situation after confirming to Le Soir that the Dutch Tennis federation will be issuing a statement on the matter next week.
Blockx will play Alexander Zverev in the Madrid semi-finals on Friday. He is currently 35th in the PIF ATP live rankings.
