Last week, he was competing at the ATP Challenger 100 tournament in Alicante, where on Saturday, he reached the final after beating Austria’s Sebastian Ofner in three sets. Then, on Sunday, he lost 6-4, 6-2 to another Spaniard, Pablo Llamas Ruiz, in the tournament decider.
Flashscore's David Olivares caught up with Pablo Carreno-Busta ahead of the final in Alicante to discuss his goals for the season, the Davis Cup, beating Djokovic and, of course, Carlos Alcaraz.
How important is this tournament in Alicante for the rest of the clay season? It’s a bit of a warm-up for what’s coming - ending with Roland Garros, but also Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome...
"Yes, it’s very important, obviously, because besides serving as a bit of a warm-up for the ATP clay swing, for me it was crucial for qualifying for Roland Garros. Before Murcia, I think I was ranked somewhere around 120 in the world, and I needed to win one of these tournaments to get close to qualifying.
"Having won in Murcia and now reaching the final in Alicante, I’ve pretty much secured it, so I’ll be able to play more relaxed, I suppose. And after these two weeks, I’m feeling good heading into the clay season."
What’s your plan for the coming weeks? You were signed up for Bucharest, but I think you’ve decided to withdraw, is that right?
"Yes, I was entered in Bucharest, but I’ve withdrawn because I’m already pushing my physical limits. Mentally, I’m also a bit drained, and there’s still a lot of the clay swing ahead, so I’ll take my name off the list and rest."
And for the season as a whole, what are your goals?
"Well, the goal is to try to get back into the top 100 so I can play on the ATP Tour. These past two weeks, I’ve played Challengers because I needed the points, but hopefully these will be the last ones I play all year.
"Not because I’m not happy here, but because, in the end, the bigger tournaments have more points and more prize money, and that’s where you want to be. So, hopefully I can get back there."
Let’s look back at last season. We still have the Davis Cup finals fresh in our minds, and you had a great tournament with Spain! You were champions in 2019 in Madrid, but in 2025, you played a much bigger role. How do you remember that big win over Jan-Lennard Struff in the semi-finals last year?
"Yes, I think last year’s Davis Cup for Spain was a bit... how to put it... In the end, it showed that the Davis Cup is a special competition, it’s different, and while the ranking matters, it’s not everything.
"It’s a very tough competition to play. From the very first tie in Switzerland - which I couldn’t play, but my teammates pulled through - then we played in Marbella, where everything was against us, and we came back with an epic win by Pedro (Martinez) over (Holger) Rune. Then, in the final stages, with Carlos (Alcaraz) dropping out at the last minute, it seemed like people had lost faith, like we weren’t going to be able to do anything.
"But in the end, Jaume (Munar), Marcel (Granollers), Pedro (Martinez) in doubles, and myself, we gave it everything, we enjoyed it a lot. We were close in the final to forcing a third match, with Jaume coming very, very close.
"And then in a deciding doubles, anything could have happened with Marcel, who’s the world number one in that. So I think the fans enjoyed it a lot, just like we did, and that’s the beauty of this competition."
I think you got all of Spain hooked on the competition again, particularly in that final against Italy, who were two-time champions and also the hosts. That match with Matteo Berrettini - you didn’t win it, but you played at a really high level, right?
"Yes, it was a final. They were playing at home and obviously had the crowd behind them, which I think helped them a lot at certain moments. But yes, as you said, I was just a bit short. Berrettini, on that surface, indoors and at home, is very comfortable. But it was a great match. I couldn’t win it.
"Against Struff in the semi-finals, I did manage to win. I’m happy about that, to be able to help the team. In the end, we all enjoyed it, the fans got into it, and the semi-final was incredible."
Going back a bit further to those Tokyo Olympics in 2021, winning that bronze medal by beating none other than Novak Djokovic - is that the best memory of your career?
"Well, luckily, I’ve had a lot of great memories in my career, not all of them from winning tournaments. For example, at the Olympics, I lost in the semi-finals but won a medal by beating Djokovic. Yes, without a doubt, it’s one of the best - maybe not the very best, but definitely one of them."
On a global note, how do you see Alcaraz at the moment? After everything that happened last year with the end of his partnership with Juan Carlos Ferrero, then this year, he had an extraordinary start to the season, although now it seems he’s hit a bit of a rough patch... What do you think?
"The whole Ferrero thing was a bit unexpected, I think for everyone, maybe even for them. But life goes on, right? It won’t be the first or last time something like that happens.
"I think Carlos had a fantastic, unbeatable start to the season. He indeed lost in the semi-finals at Indian Wells, and in Miami, he may have looked a bit mentally tired, but in the end, we’re all human. It’s normal to have a little dip at some point.
"But Carlos’s start to the season has been fabulous, and I’m sure he’ll be back to his best on the clay swing."
Back to you, there’s still a long way to go, but how do you see that Davis Cup tie in September against Chile? Is it on your mind?
"I see it as tough, honestly, because Chile has some very good players, and not just one or two - they have several at a similar level. So even if one is missing, they’ll still have a strong team. Chile is always a tough place to play, because the crowd gets really involved, they’re right on top of you, and it’ll be a tough challenge.
"David (Ferrer) will have his work cut out picking the team and, above all, getting the job done."
Now in the Davis Cup, you’re the team to beat along with Italy, right? That final gives you even more prestige!
"Well, it might add some prestige. But every year is different, and I can assure you the Chileans will go all out."