Carlos Alcaraznumber one seed at Queen’s, ensured that on grass he had “less chance” of beating Novak Djokovicwho hasn’t lost a match at Wimbledon since 2017, but hasn’t pulled off a surprise.
The Murcian, who has trained twice on grass, arrived in London this Saturday to compete at Queen’s, after a week in Murcia where he rested four days and trained three on hard courts.
“The hardest part about this surface is moving smoothly”, the Spaniard said in a press conference. “You have to be more careful than on other surfaces. What I find most comfortable is going to the net, playing aggressively, playing the style I like and it’s comfortable”.
Grass is the most inhospitable surface for the Murcian, as he has barely played two official tournaments here, Wimbledon 2021 and 2022, in addition to the junior tournament in 2019 and some exhibitions at Hurlingham last year.
“I always say that I think I can win every tournament I go to”the Murcian responded to Nick Kyrgios’ claims that only he can beat Djokovic on this surface.
“On grass it’s true that it’s more complicated. I haven’t had that experience and in the games I’ve played it’s cost me a little bit. Djokovic along with Federer are the best to ever set foot on a grass courtso it will be tricky. Kyrgios has already made the Wimbledon final, he played very well here. I won’t say that I can’t beat Djokovic, but on this surface I have less chances,” explained Alcaraz.
Against the Serbian he already fell in the semifinals of the last Roland Garros, in a match marked by cramps that burdened the Spaniard from the beginning of the second set.
“I thought about the match with Novak, what happened, I try to take positive things and learn, but after a few days you have to turn the page and think about a tour of the grass. It was only my second Grand Slam semifinal. Novak is not easy to play. The next one is different. I will deal with the pressure and the nerves better. I learned a lot from that game.”
If the physical problems he suffered in recent months, from a torn stomach in Paris-Bercy to cramps at Roland Garros, affected his preparation and made him wonder if it was enough, Alcaraz denied it and said that physical that he is fine.
“I know I’m at a good level physically. There are people who believe that what happened to me against Novak was an injury and I don’t do that; they are ramps. This is very normal among gamersEveryone has cramps at some point. After two days it was perfect. This past year I have had some injuries more than other times. But I know the skill I need to improve, but physically I think we are doing a good job.”
Next month, if all goes according to plan, the Murcian will be in London, first playing Queen’s, then Hurlingham and finally Wimbledon.
“It’s going to be a slightly different month, spending a whole month here in London. We have a house where we all belong. After all, when you live in a different house, you spend more time with your loved ones. You are at home. I am lucky that my father is here and as the days pass, more people from Murcia are coming. We play board games, we try to disconnect and have fun.”
This week, Alcaraz will be joined by Samuel López, Pablo Carreño’s coach, as Juan Carlos Ferrero will be on vacation to be with his family. “El Mosquito” will once again join the world number two team after Queen’s.
Source: La Verdad
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