Carlos Alcaraz recovers the spark in China | ATP Tour

Shanghai

Alcaraz recovers the spark in China

The recent champion in Beijing landed in Shanghai early Thursday morning

October 03, 2024

The clock read almost 9:00 pm in Beijing, when Carlos Alcaraz was on the court collecting his fourth title of the season at the China Open. After the champion’s photo session, he barely had time to celebrate his big victory in the final against Jannik Sinner, a press conference and a quick shower were the prelude to an express trip to the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

“I slept six hours, so I haven’t been able to rest much,” acknowledged the No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings who landed in Shanghai at 4:00 am this Thursday. “I haven’t been able to do much after the final. We arrived in Shanghai very late and I haven’t been able to rest as much as I wanted, but I’m happy to be here. “I am happy with how it went in Beijing and now focused here.”

After winning the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, the Spaniard lost his spark. This was reflected in his results on the American tour, both in the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, where he lost to Gael Monfils in his debut; like in the US Open, where he lost in the second round against Botic Van de Zandschulp.

Alcaraz took refuge in his base camp with his team to put his ideas in order and, little by little, recover the lost confidence, energy and enthusiasm. In this way, he has been able to achieve nine consecutive victories.

In September he led Spain to the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, winning two singles matches, while in the Laver Cup he played a key role in helping Team Europe regain the throne in Berlin. Shortly after, in his first tournament on the Asian tour he won the trophy, beating two Top 5 players, No. 5 Daniil Medvedev (semifinals) and No. 1 Sinner (final).

“The training sessions,” Alcaraz responded bluntly about the big change between the dynamics of August and September. “I have had a very good month of training, after the American tour. It is clear that the Davis Cup and the Laver Cup helped me a lot to regain energy, to motivate me again, I love playing in teams.”

“They are two competitions that helped me a lot to enjoy the track again and be focused on what was coming, which was the Asian tour, with a lot of energy, enjoying every second on the track and that is very important to me,” added Alcaraz. “Right now I am prepared for the following tournaments, I want to play the tournaments that come. “I had a good month of preparation, working hard with my team, and it is clear that I feel good on the track.”

This Friday, the 21-year-old from Murcia will come into contact with the racket again. “I came here today [al club para hacer la conferencia de prensa]”I’m going to rest a little, which I think I need, and tomorrow I’ll start training.” A day later, on Saturday, Alcaraz has his first match scheduled in Shanghai against #NextGenATP Juncheng Shang.

“I played against him once, at the Australian Open. He got injured,” Alcaraz recalled about the only match in which they have faced each other in the third round in Melbourne and which ended 6-1, 6-1, 1-0, Ret. “After that I have not trained with him again, nor have I played against him. I have seen a little of his matches, I know that he has very good potential, very good tennis, but I am going to approach the match in the same way as every match, I am going to prepare as best as I can.”

“I have two days to adapt to the conditions here in Shanghai and be ready for the first match. I hope to continue playing the same way I’m playing and we’ll see what happens. I will be prepared,” concluded a smiling Alcaraz who seems to have regained his spark in China.