‘Carlos Alcaraz will be one of the most…’, says expert

First victory in the return of Carlos Alcaraz. After being sidelined in November and suffering a relapse just before the Australian Open, the Spanish tennis player played his first match of the season, the first after retiring in Paris-Bercy against Holger Rune, beating the Serbian Laslo Djere in three sets with the result of 6-2, 4-6 and 6-2. The former number one in the world chose clay and Argentina to return to the circuit: “For me it is a pleasure to have this experience in Argentina. The truth is that I feel at home, and that is greatly appreciated, it has helped me a lot to have this atmosphere and the affection of the people”, declared the Spanish tennis player at a press conference. In his first game back after the injury, there are two feelings: the joy of having regained the feeling of victory and the awareness that there is still room for improvement. “I felt very good, I have a lot of room for improvement. Competing again after four months is complicated. The only way to get my rhythm back is by playing, so little by little I will improve. Of course, I go to all the tournaments thinking that I am going to win them and my goal is to win the title. It’s my first match in four months, the first of the year, and it’s been a great first match for me, great tennis, but far from the level I always play. Beyond the blows, there are the moments. There were several in which I did not know how to handle them. Points that were very fast and I didn’t know how to control myself, that’s what I lack”, declared the young Spaniard who currently occupies the second position in the ATP ranking. Absent at the Australian Open, there were two options for Carlos Alcaraz: return to South American clay or opt for European indoor cement. The Grand Slam champion opted for the second: “I wanted to come and play this tournament. I don’t know if I’ll be back, but for now the stay is wonderful, I love it. It is something that I will take into account in the future if my schedule and my physique allow it. From the first training session I feel the affection of the people, even when I go through the event.

Mark Petchey talks about Alcaraz

Opinions are divided on Carlos Alcaraz and some specialists consider that the game offered by the Spaniard is unique. Consisting of speed, power and endurance, Carlos embodies, according to them, a total tennis that we have never seen on the modern circuit. This is what, for example, Mark Petchey thinks. “I don’t believe @carlosalcaraz is a 20 time Major Champion as this number has become become ‘normalised’. He may not win 10. However, just like Bjorn Borg, I do believe he will be one of the most influential tennis players the game has ever had with the way he plays.”