NEW YORK — As the 2024 US Open draw was unveiled, a fascinating subplot emerged from the first-round matchup between defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci. While on paper it appears a routine opener for the world No. 3, a piece of history from five years ago has resurfaced, revealing a text message warning that Bellucci failed to heed and one that serves as a stark reminder of Alcaraz's prodigious talent from a very young age.
The story dates back to the 2019 Godó Trophy Barcelonareal by Imperdible, a prestigious junior tournament in Spain. A 15-year-old Alcaraz, already generating significant buzz, was drawn against Bellucci, then 17. Before the match, a prescient text message was sent to the young Italian, offering a blunt scouting report on his Spanish opponent. The message read: "Be careful, he is very good. He is the real deal."
Bellucci, however, admitted to not fully internalizing the warning. In a recent interview with the Italian publication Ubitennis, he recalled his mindset going into that junior clash. "I remember that a friend of mine texted me before the match, telling me to be careful because he was very strong," Bellucci said. "But I didn't give it too much weight. I was wrong."
A Glimpse of Greatness on the Junior Court
The match itself was a demonstration of the raw power and fearless tennis that would soon captivate the world. Alcaraz, despite being two years younger, dominated proceedings, defeating Bellucci 6-2, 6-1 in a commanding performance that lasted little over an hour. It was a clear statement of intent from the teenager from Murcia, who was already being mentored by former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Bellucci’s recollection of the match is one of sheer astonishment. "I remember that he crushed me," he told Ubitennis. "He was only 15, but he was already hitting the ball incredibly hard. His physical strength was impressive for his age. I had never seen a 15-year-old play like that."
This early result is a classic tale in the world of sports, where future champions often provide glimpses of their destiny long before they achieve global fame. For Bellucci, that day in Barcelona was his first-hand introduction to a phenomenon in the making. The match highlighted several key aspects of Alcaraz's game that are now familiar to all:
- Devastating Power: His ability to generate pace from both wings, even as a junior.
- Physical Maturity: A strength and athleticism that belied his young age.
- Competitive Ferocity: A relentless mindset that allowed for no easy points.
Diverging Paths and a Grand Slam Reunion
In the five years since that junior encounter, the trajectories of the two players have, unsurprisingly, diverged dramatically. Alcaraz’s ascent has been meteoric, becoming the youngest men's world No. 1 in history at 19 after his stunning 2022 US Open victory and adding a Wimbledon title in 2023 by defeating Novak Djokovic in a final for the ages.
Bellucci, now 23, has taken a more traditional path, grinding on the ATP Challenger Tour and qualifying for Grand Slam main draws. His successful run through the US Open qualifying rounds, where he won three matches without dropping a set, is a significant achievement in its own right, earning him a career-high ranking inside the top-130 and this marquee matchup.
The irony of drawing Alcaraz in the first round of his US Open main-draw debut is not lost on Bellucci. "It's incredible to think that I faced him when we were juniors and now we meet again in the first round of the US Open," he said. "It shows how far we've both come, even if on very different paths."
The Lesson Learned and the Challenge Ahead
This time, there will be no underestimating the opponent. The text message warning from 2019 now seems prophetic, and Bellucci enters this match with his eyes wide open to the monumental challenge. He will face an Alcaraz who is not only more powerful and experienced but also battle-tested on the biggest stages in tennis.
Bellucci acknowledges the scale of the task, stating, "Now he is the best in the world, a champion who has already won so much. For me, it will be a great experience to play against him on a court like Arthur Ashe. I will try to enjoy the moment and give my best."
For Alcaraz, the match represents the first step in his title defense. While he is the overwhelming favorite, the history between the two adds a layer of narrative to what is otherwise a classic clash between an established superstar and a hungry qualifier. Alcaraz is known for his respect for every opponent, and it is unlikely he will take Bellucci lightly.
Tennis fans and pundits will be watching closely, not just to see the defending champion's form, but to witness the culmination of a five-year journey that began with a text message and a one-sided junior match. It is a testament to the long and winding road professionals travel, where early encounters can foreshadow future meetings on the sport's most hallowed grounds.
As the two players meet again under the bright lights of Flushing Meadows, the warning sent to Mattia Bellucci in 2019 has never been more accurate. Carlos Alcaraz has proven, beyond any doubt, that he is indeed "the real deal."