Carlos Alcaraz makes an impact at the US Open. His great forehands, great drop shots and impressive character have made Carlos Alcaraz a fan favorite. But the New York public also succumbed to a Spanish ‘weapon’ not directly related to tennis: his wide and overflowing smile.
Accustomed in sports to seeing serious, hieratic and frowning figures, the 20-year-old prodigy surprises not only for his exceptional racket skills, but also for his amazing ability to enjoy himself on court and make those around you happy (except, of course, your rivals).
The ability to smile even in the worst of times and find, Monty Python-esque, ‘the silver lining in life’ doesn’t go unnoticed in Flushing Meadows.
“Are you struggling (combining) your obvious desire to have fun with the serious business of winning a game?“, they asked him on Saturday in a press conference.
“Sometimes I mean, obviously I want to win every game I play, but at the same time I want to have fun.try new things, make people enjoy watching tennis and watching my matches,” he replied.
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“Sometimes I ask myself what is more important: winning or doing great things? Obviously winning is always the most important thing, but sometimes I talk to myself about it.”
In a country like the United States where sport is an important part of the entertainment industry, Alcaraz, who rested from training this Sunday before playing this Monday in the round of 16 against Italian Matteo Arnaldiwas fully aware that tennis could also be part of the ‘show’.
Maybe that’s why he had no problem signing up -of course with a smile- for an exhibition a week before the US Open, sharing a partner and joking with Colombian singer Sebastián Yatra to play a double match to tennis player Frances Tiafoe and NBA star Jimmy Butler.
maybe that’s it He also did not hesitate to sing “Vagabundo”, by his friend Yatrajust after finishing his first game in this ‘grand slam’.
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This is not some kind of intimate karaoke: Alcaraz dared with the microphone -and dance a little more- in front of the packed stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis court in the world and where he feels at home.
These are just anecdotes out of competition, but Alcaraz also captivates fans with his ability to smile even in the most tense moments on the track.
The last example? His fight was on Saturday in the third round against Daniel Evans.
Resisting and tough, the British made him suffer, especially after the third setbut Alcaraz was able to show his smile -and even get it from his rival- after the most impressive and brilliant points of the match, even if they did not fall in his favor.
Alcaraz’s playful and hedonistic touch contrasts with the stereotype of the pissed-off tennis player and is so angry with himself that he drops the racket on the ground when a ball hits the net.
The Murcian, of course, he also had a rabies flare-up and one of his rackets suffered it.
But Alcaraz seems to have found the perfect balance between being a fierce and fearsome competitor and, at the same time, enjoying everything that is happening around him.
GAUFF, INSPIRED BY ALCARAZ
that optimism It also infected other figures on the circuit such as the American Coco Gauff19 years old and number 6 in the female ranking.
“Carlos in Cincinnati (…) is not playing his best tennis, that’s clear. But the way he kept smiling while playing against Hubert Hurkacz… He lost a lot and he was still smiling.“He remembered last Wednesday before the media.
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“For me, it was like: ‘If he can smile, who is number one in the world and has all the pressure (…), I can smile too’. I think I learned a lot from his joy in matches and how I can transfer that. It’s because I’m having so much fun but it seems like I’m holding back when I’m playing. Now I’m having fun, laughing and smiling and I think that makes tennis more enjoyable.”
Meanwhile, Alcaraz is looking for his second US Open and become the first to repeat the title in New York since Roger Federer (five consecutive titles from 2004 to 2008).
But along the way, as he explained last Tuesday, he intends to have as much fun and entertain tennis fans as possible.
“We try to bring good vibes to people. I try to be myself all the time. I think people like that part of me. I’m always happy and smiling,” he said.
Source: La Verdad

I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.