Carlos Alcaraz is definitely back to 100% of his form, after having had a difficult time after the shocking second round elimination at the 2024 US Open. The 21-year-old Spaniard had already shown signs of awakening during the Davis Cup and the Laver Cup, showing that he had found the right stimuli and the desire to express his best tennis.
ADVERTISEMENT
The former world number 1 confirmed his progress during the ATP 500 in Beijing, where he grabbed his fourth title of the season by defeating his great rival Jannik Sinner at the end of one of the most exciting matches of the year. The champion from Murcia made his debut today in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, eliminating young Chinese talent Shang with a score of 6-2 6-2. Carlitoss goal is to close 2024 in the best possible way and defend himself from Alexander Zverev, who will do everything he can to grab the second place in the ATP rankings by the end of the season.
After the Shanghai Masters 1000, the four-time Grand Slam champion will take part in the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia in mid-October. World number 2 will not play the ATP 500 in Basel, but will focus directly on the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 and the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Alcaraz will also try to drag his Spain in the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Alcarazis definitely back
The former world number 1 needs to smile on the court to express his best tennis and thats what he is doing in the last period. By his own admission, Carlitos has been through a difficult period after the premature elimination in New York. I had a really good month of practice after the American swing, said Alcaraz in a recent interview. Of course, the Davis Cup and the Laver Cup helped me a lot to get the energy back, to get motivated again.
ADVERTISEMENT
I love playing team competition, the Davis Cup with the players, with their team, with the Spanish Federation as well, all the people who are around just to help me to be better, and feeling great off the court as well, that for me is really important. The Laver Cup, its the same thing. Those competitions helped me a lot to get the joy back on the court and being focused on whats next. I came here to Asia with a lot of energy, enjoy every single second that I step on the court, and that for me its really important he added.
Unlike last year, the Spanish ace has arrived much fitter at this point of the season: I try to keep up the momentum. I feel good on the court, and physically I feel very good. For my tennis, it's crucial to feel this way. I'm hitting the ball really well, too. I'm someone who looks for the positive side. For example, the North American tour didn't go as well as I expected, so I had more time to prepare for this part of the year, gearing up for this tournament. I've had a couple of weeks where I worked on and off the court, and that has paid off. I think that's the difference and why I'm displaying this level of tennis. I just try to enjoy my time on the court, play great points, great rallies.
ADVERTISEMENT
Many goals
The four-time Grand Slam champion has shown that he can deliver tennis without equal when he is focused and motivated. The 21-year-old from Murcia has won three games against Sinner this year, in a rivalry that is electrifying fans and insiders alike.Carlitos is an example for the other young talents: For me, it's something great. I heard my opponent today say that it was an honor to share the court with me. He's younger than me, and I'm sure we'll share the court more times, in training or important matches. He'll be at the top. It's also a pleasure for me to share the court with Shang.
Theoretically, the world number 2 has still some chance of overtaking Sinner at the top of the ATP rankings before the end of 2024 but the odds are really low. Alcaraz doesnt seem to have any intention of adding tournaments to his schedule to achieve this goal and will try to overtake in 2025, perhaps already at the Australian Open. Despite being still very young, the Spanish champion has already said he wants to become one of the best players of all times. The Spaniard has the right weapons to do this, but he will have to keep working so as not to disappoint the huge expectations placed on him.
