Carlos Alcaraz, the promising 20-year-old Spanish tennis sensation and reigning Wimbledon champion, is poised for his debut at the 2024 Australian Open after a setback due to a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the previous year’s tournament. Seeded second in the men’s draw, Alcaraz expresses eagerness to leave his mark on the Grand Slam stage.
Despite the formidable competition, with his main rival being the 10-time and defending Australian Open champion, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz remains a strong contender for the title, showcasing his star quality even after a hiatus since the ATP Finals in November.
In preparation for the Australian Open, Alcaraz engaged in two exhibition matches. Notably, he secured a victory against Djokovic in Riyadh on December 27 but faced a setback, falling to Alex de Minaur in a charity match in Melbourne last week.
Speaking about his return to Australia, Alcaraz shares his excitement, having missed the action while sidelined last year. He states, “I’m excited to play here in Australia again. I missed it last year, watching all the matches,” expressing his eagerness to compete on the prestigious stage.
However, Alcaraz faces an additional challenge with the absence of his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who underwent surgery. Despite this setback, Alcaraz remains optimistic, staying connected with Ferrero through daily communication. He hopes for the coach’s speedy recovery and potential return later in the season, emphasizing their continued collaboration.
“Juan Carlos had surgery,” Alcaraz explained. “But it’s something that can happen to anyone. He’s recovering, and hopefully (I’ll have) him for the rest of the season. (We’ll talk) every day. He’s not here, but almost. We text every day, before the matches. I’m almost with him.”
Reflecting on his remarkable 2023 season, Alcaraz, who clinched the Wimbledon crown and won six titles while fluctuating between world No. 1 and No. 2, maintains a grounded approach. Surprisingly, the thought of becoming the top-ranked player never crossed his mind. He underscores the importance of focusing on his game, staying true to himself, and continuous improvement, steering clear of the complexities of rankings and tournament defenses.
“I didn’t know that I could become world No.1,” he added. “One of the best things I can do is not think about the points, not think about defending tournaments, and just focus on being myself, playing my tennis, and improving the things I have to improve.”
–IANS
