Carlos Alcaraz debuted in 2024 with a loss. World number 2 He fell this Wednesday to Alex de Minaur 6-4 5-7 10-3 in a match equivalent to the Kooyong Classic, an exhibition tournament that serves as preparation for the Australian Open.
The Murcian He blamed his lack of shooting and made too many unforced errors against an opponent who, supported by his crowd, showed great tennis that allowed him to confidently face the main points of a first set that he won 6-4.
In the second, Alcaraz started in doubt and went 1-4 downmoment where he put another gear to balance the partial and reach the decisive 5-5.
There he showed all his potential to make it 7-5, leading the match in a tiebreak super tiebreak. which De Minaur dominated from the start thanks to his greater aggressiveness from the back of the court.
The Australian has a good start to the season, despite his defeat against the British Cameron Norrie (6-4, 2-6, 7-6) in the first match of the United Cup, but in the next He defeated Taylor Fritz (6-4 and 6-2), Novak Djokovic (6-4 and 6-4) and also top-10 Alexander Zverev (5-7, 6-3 and 6-4).
At 24 years old, born in Sydney to a Uruguayan father and a Spanish mother, living in Alicante, This week, he debuted a position in the world top-10which completes (10th) the first ATP ranking of 2024.
More shots than Carlos Alcaraz, who he beat twice on the ATP Tour: in the semifinals of Godó 2022, after having match points, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4) and 6-4; on grass at Queen’s 2023, final, 6-4 and 6-4.
Despite the loss, Alcaraz seemed very relaxed at the end of the match, as he laughingly explained where he had placed the Wimbledon champion trophy. “In the dining room. Every time I’m there eating, having breakfast or dinner at home I look at it. I remember the good times I had at Wimbledon. There is no better place to put the trophy and see it every day“.
With the world number 2, who will find out this Thursday his path to the title at the Australian Open, He had a rehearsal on Friday against Norwegian Casper Ruudwho he trained on Monday in his first contact at Rod Laver Arena.
The El Palmar tennis player has not officially competed since losing in the semifinals of the ATP Finals in Turin against Novak Djokovic, whom he defeated last December at the exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
Source: La Verdad
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