Carlos Alcaraz is ready to start his run at the Rotterdam ATP 500, which he has decided to participate in for the first time in his young career. In previous years, the former world No. 1 had always preferred to play tournaments on red clay in South America but opted for a major change this year.
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The 21-year-old Spaniard is aware that he needs to improve his level on indoor hard courts, where his game creates fewer problems for opponents and where he is more vulnerable as his results show. The champion from Murcia will play his first match against Botic van de Zandschulp today and will have the chance to take revenge at the 2024 US Open, when the Dutch player played one of the best matches of his entire career by eliminating the Spaniard to general dismay.
Botic will be able to count on the support of his fans and will have nothing to lose, while Carlitos will have to prove that he has improved on this surface. In particular, the 4-time Grand Slam champion will have to use his serve well, a shot he has worked during the off-season to make it more unpredictable and effective.
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Carlitos is still vulnerable
Analyzing the statistics, it is possible to see how the current world number 3 does not have exceptional numbers on indoor hard courts. During his career so far, Alcaraz has played 37 matches on this surface with a less than exciting balance of 25 wins and 12 losses (67.6%).
The Spanish ace has not yet found the right feeling with these courts and that is also why he has decided to participate in the Rotterdam ATP 500.
The former world number 1 has practiced well these days, although he has an annoying cold that haunts him and that forced him to use a nasal strip.
Despite the absence of Jannik Sinner, Carlitos has a very tough potential path and it will not be easy for him to lift the trophy next Sunday. The Spaniard will have to be focused in every single match and avoid dangerous drops in concentration.
