Carlos Alcaraz has superbly taken over the mantle from fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in recent times.

Nadal has predicted a big future for Alcaraz, who already has four Grand Slam titles to his name at the age of 21.

He is certain to add to that tally in the coming years, but whether he can reach the 22 of Nadal remains to be seen.

Nadal will retire from tennis next month, with the Spanish legend set to hang up his racket after the Davis Cup Finals.

Malaga hosts the team competition, where fittingly Nadal and Alcaraz will both be representing the nation on home soil.

But remarkably, there is another young Spanish star breaking through, with Martin Landaluce winning the ATP Challenger Tour 125 event in Olbia this week.

The 18-year-old beat Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-4 in the final, and as per the ATP website, he is now the youngest Spanish Challenger champion since Alcaraz won in Oeiras in 2021 aged 18.

Moreover, Landaluce has become the fifth Spaniard since 2000 to win a Challenger event aged 18 or younger, following in the footsteps of Alcaraz, Nadal, Tommy Robredo and Nicolas Almagro.

Landaluce is certainly in good company following his success, with the four aforementioned Spaniards having all made it to the ATP top-10 rankings.

Such a climb won’t be on the teenager’s mind just yet, although he has already caught the eye of both Alcaraz and Nadal.

As per the ATP Challenger Tour on X, both icons sent messages to Landaluce after his title, with Alcaraz’s Spanish message translated as: “Let’s go Martin.”

Nadal meanwhile messaged the champion: “Congratulations on your first ATP Challenger Tour Martin, a big hug.”

Along with the trophy, 18-year-old Landaluce has climbed to eighth place in the ATP Live Race To Jeddah.