Alcaraz sees light in the defeat at Queen’s: “I am hungry to be better” | ATP Tour

Reactions

Alcaraz sees light in the defeat at Queen’s: “I am hungry to be better”

The Spaniard is already thinking about his next participation, which will be at Wimbledon

June 20, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz’s 13-match undefeated streak on grass came to an end Thursday at the Cinch Championships thanks to a 7-6(3), 6-3 loss to local favorite Jack Draper. Although the Spaniard was not happy with his performance, he is taking his first defeat on this surface since 2022 in stride.

“Of course it’s hard to deal with losses, but I think it’s part of our lives,” he said, crediting Draper for his play. “We have to deal with it as best we can. After losses, you have to take the positive things and, of course, the negative things, just to improve for the next tournament.”

For Alcaraz, that next tournament is Wimbledon, where, as in The Queen’s Club, he will participate as defending champion. Before this week in London, Alcaraz had not competed on grass since his epic victory against Novak Djokovic in last year’s final at the grass-court major. Although he played perfect on grass last season, Alcaraz remains relatively inexperienced on this surface, on which he has a 17-3 record.

“I think the best way to improve on grass is to stay here, train with the players, do good physical things on grass and mobility, really specific things,” Alcaraz said when asked if he would return to Spain before Wimbledon, which begins 1st of July. “In Spain or at my house, we don’t have grass fields to train on.”

“I don’t know what my goal is. I have to talk to my team. But yeah, I’m close to Wimbledon, so as soon as I can, I’ll focus on training with the players, preparing and all that. I hope to be better.”

The number 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings competed at Queen’s without his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who will arrive in London on Sunday or Monday. Alcaraz said his coach is “hungry” for more victories, and the Spaniard feels the same.

“Right now I’m hungry to be better, to train, and that’s all I have to do,” he said. “I am very excited to start Wimbledon. Of course I want to win all the titles for which [juegue]and I think Wimbledon is even more special. So, like I said, I have time and I’m excited to start the first game on center court.”