Carlos Alcaraz was instrumental in the triumph of Team Europe in the 2024 edition of the Laver Cup, which took place at the Uber Arena in Berlin last weekend. The former world number 1 played well on the last day, first winning the doubles with his friendCasper Ruud and then defeating US Open finalist Taylor Fritz in the decisive match.
The young Spanish champion is regaining his confidence after a short period of fog, mainly due to the defeat against Novak Djokovic in the final of the Olympics in Paris. The 21-year-old from Murcia was convinced he could win the gold medal for his country and it took him a while to digest that defeat, expressing an unbrilliant tennis both in Cincinnati and especially at the US Open.
Thanks to his feat, Carlitos has prevented Team World from winning the Laver Cup for the third year in a row. The four-time Grand Slam champion will not have much time to rest, as the ATP 500 in Beijing begins on September 26th. The Spanish ace had played this tournament last year, reaching the semi-finals and losing in two sets to a great Jannik Sinner. The worldnumber 1 has already arrived in Beijing and started practicing, while fans are hoping to witness a new chapter of his rivalry with Alcaraz.
Carlitos shone
Carlitos had a very good first career experience at the Laver Cup, a very prestigious event that allows players to become teammates for a weekend. He was the decisive man for the victory of Team Europe in the 2024 Laver Cup. We are talking about Carlos Alcaraz, who more than any other teammate has led the team led by Bjorn Borg to success in his last term before leaving the place to Yannick Noah. The Spaniard, who came from a not very bright period, has found his lost polish after the Olympic Games in Paris, and put on his shoulders the team in blue, delivering 8 of the 13 points that were then used to the final title.
Never since this event was founded, had been so decisive for the fate of his team that probably without his precious presence he would not have been able to prevail over opponents led by John McEnroe. The four-time Slam champion has won three of the four matches played (two in singles and one in doubles), two of which on Sunday, when each victory was worth three points. Before him, the record was set by Roger Federer, who in 2017 scored 7 points for his team.
For Alcaraz it was a really positive interlude in Berlin, thanks to which he had the opportunity to get to know many of his 'opponents', who he is usually used to meeting only on the opposite side of the net: "Its wonderful for me to have spent time here with my teammates, and also to know the person behind the player.
We always compete under a lot of pressure, people who see us only in the game tend to think and judge what you see. But there are great people behind them all and getting to know each other outside of the court was fantastic. I hope now to be able to play the rest of the year just like I did against Fritz.I think it was one of my best games in recent times.
I want to continue this aggressive tennis, go to the net and be the one who dictates the rhythm of the game. I had some difficult times on the American tour because I didnt find my level and the consistency needed, but now I feel good," he said. Due to the bad results obtained in the American tournaments during the summer, Alcaraz has almost no chance of closing 2024 at the top of the ATP ranking. Sinner has a lead of over 4000 points and should play very badly to get his opponents back on the road.
Alcaraz will play in Beijing
In a recent interview, the former World No.1 discussed his rivalry with Sinner: Well a lot of people talk about it and I hear it. Im not going to lie, I hope so. I hope that our rivalry is going to be or almost be like the Big Three had during their whole careers. I dont know.
This is the first year that we shared all the Grand Slams. Hopefully its going to keep going like that, sharing great moments, fighting for the great tournaments, the Grand Slams, Masters 1000. So lets see how its going to be in the future, the next few years, if we are going to stay like that at this level. I think we are going to build or create a relationship off the court as well. Its great and hopefully well have that rivalry that the Big Three had in their careers.
