Carlos Alcaraz, a magnet without limits | ATP Tour

US Open

Alcaraz, a magnet without limits

The Spanish faces Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open

August 28, 2024

Sometimes life can change very quickly. Botic Van de Zandschulp was thinking about retiring this year after losing in the first round of Roland Garros, but on Thursday he will have the chance to face Carlos Alcaraz at Arthur Ashe Stadium. One of the best players in the world and on the biggest tennis court on the planet. And in the night session of the tournament. Not bad.

“It will be a fantastic match because he is one of the best players in the world,” said the Dutchman, who beat Denis Shapovalov in three sets on Tuesday to meet Alcaraz for a third-round berth. “He can do whatever he wants with a tennis ball. You don’t know what to expect. It’s fun to play against him because he varies a lot and that’s something I like. I’m looking forward to the time we meet again.”

“He is a very dangerous player, he has great shots,” Alcaraz warned. “He was in a pretty good moment, although perhaps this last year or these last few months he has not been playing his best tennis,” continued the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “It has been clear in the results, but if he has beaten Shapovalov it is because his level is high and he is capable of anything. We are going to have to be focused on each point and try to improve what we did wrong on the first day to have a good feeling and play good tennis.”

Alcaraz leads his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Botic Van de Zandschulp 2-0, and this Thursday he will look for another victory that will allow him to advance in the US Open, where he seeks his third Grand Slam of 2024, the fifth of his career.

The Spaniard, accompanied by his team and family in New York, is attracting all eyes in the Big Apple. On Tuesday, during his debut in the last major of the calendar, celebrities such as Ben Stiller, Anna Wintour and Garbiñe Muguruza met at the Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch Alcaraz’s match, who beat Li Tu to begin his journey in Flushing Meadows.

Nick Kyrgios was also there, who interviewed Alcaraz before going out on court and at the end of the match, showing great complicity with the Murcia native, who has never faced him as a professional.

Andre Agassi followed him from his home, and at the end of the match he posted two stories on his Instagram account after seeing how the 21-year-old Spaniard changed his shoes at the end of his match to wear a reissue of the ones the American used when he played.

Whether on or off the track, in New York or at home, Alcaraz is a true mass phenomenon.