Carlos Alcaraz faces the grass tour with energy | ATP Tour

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After resting, Alcaraz faces the grass tour with energy

The Spaniard faces Cerúndolo in the first round

June 17, 2024

A year ago, Carlos Alcaraz arrived at the Cinch Championships in London having won just four matches on grass. The Spaniard went on to dominate the surface in 2023, stringing together 12 consecutive victories to lift the trophies at Queen’s Club and Wimbledon.

With confidence through the roof, Alcaraz believes the success enjoyed last year will help him quickly adjust to grass.

“I have more grass matches in my legs and with the great results I had last year at Queen’s and Wimbledon, I know better how to play and understand the grass game,” Alcaraz said during the pre-tournament press conference this Sunday. “I’m more mature playing on this surface. In the first training session I did here, my mobility was not as good as last year, but this is a slow process, so I have to be focused in every training session and in every game.”

Alcaraz arrives in London with the momentum of having won his third Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. With his final victory against Alexander Zverev, the No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings became the youngest player in history to win a major on all three surfaces (US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2023).

The first seed at Queen’s Club celebrated his victory at Roland Garros by spending a few days with friends in Ibiza.

“I took a few days off. Went to Ibiza with a group of friends. We had a good time. It was nice to celebrate the victory at Roland Garros and we had fun,” Alcaraz said. “As a player, I need these types of moments. Every tennis player is different, but to achieve my best tennis I have to separate my professional life from my personal life. Having a few days off helps me forget a little that I am a professional player. Being together with my friends and family means I can get some rest.

Alcaraz has a record of 26-4 this season, winning titles at Roland Garros and Indian Wells. With the start of Wimbledon at the end of June and the Olympic Games in July, the Spaniard faces a block of six intense weeks. For now, his mind is focused on Queen’s and the weed.

“We have to be focused on the tournament we are playing now,” Alcaraz said. “Roland Garros were two fantastic weeks for me, lifting the trophy was a dream come true. But right now, my mind must focus on the grass to be prepared. I hope to play good tennis soon and arrive ready for Wimbledon. My concentration is on grass. After that, I will think again about clay to reach my best level for the Olympic Games.