Carlos Alcaraz likes to play a couple of exhibition matches in the course of the 12 months, desirous to have enjoyable and provides the followers a number of spectacular photographs. The previous world No.1 is immensely proficient and has an enormous vary of options on the tennis courtroom, which is why he is likely one of the most fascinating gamers to look at in any match he performs.
The younger Spanish champion performed two exhibition matches in the US at the start of December, dealing with Ben Shelton in New York and Frances Tiafoe in Charlotte respectively. Some followers and insiders criticized Carlitos for this selection, stating that it could have been higher for him to dedicate that point to making ready for 2025.
Nonetheless – as he admitted a number of instances in 2024 – the 21-year-old from Murcia must take pleasure in life at sure instances and does not wish to take into consideration tennis on a regular basis. Regardless of some ups and downs, this 12 months has been very constructive for Alcaraz who has gained two Grand Slam titles (Roland Garros and Wimbledon) and a Masters 1000 (Indian Wells).
The 4-time Grand Slam champion wants to enhance when it comes to consistency and is practising arduous along with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who will comply with him to Australia for the primary Main of the brand new season.
Ferrero is not going to be Carlos’ solely coach subsequent 12 months, given the latest addition of Samuel Lopez (former coach of Pablo Carreno Busta). The latter will accompany the world quantity 3 in the course of the prestigious Rotterdam ATP 500, through which the Spaniard will take part for the primary time in his younger profession.
Alcaraz likes to play exhibitions
Earlier than defending his title in Indian Wells, the previous world No. 1 will play one other exhibition match in opposition to Tiafoe in Puerto Rico in early March.
Throughout a latest interview with Eurosport, ATP legend Mats Wilander mirrored on Carlitos’ option to play some exhibitions in the course of the season: “I feel it’s very constructive that Carlos Alcaraz performs sure exhibitions.
I’m not an enormous fan whenever you’re going to play an exhibition match the place it’s a must to play 4 or 5 matches and even three or 4.
However whenever you go to large stadiums like Madison Sq. Backyard, it’s okay, and it’s only one match. We’re not speaking about making ready 4 or 5 days earlier than after which taking part in three or 4 matches.”
Mats additionally added: “So the entire dialogue in regards to the schedule being too robust and too many matches having been performed, I feel generally it’s a must to separate the exhibitions from the exhibitions.
And an exhibition like going to Madison Sq. Backyard, the expertise in New York Metropolis within the fall and winter, I imply, it’s an enormous inspiration for any artist or athlete. So I feel he’s executed the correct factor.”
The rivalry with Sinner
The Spaniard has already achieved mind-blowing outcomes for his age, however he should not cease working if he needs to turn out to be the most effective gamers of all time.
The rivalry with Jannik Sinner will probably be very helpful for Carlitos, who is aware of he should all the time be 100% match to have the ability to compete in opposition to the Italian. The world No. 1 has had spectacular consistency in 2024, outdistancing his nice rival by virtually 5000 factors regardless of Alcaraz profitable two Grand Slam titles in the identical 12 months.
The present world quantity 3 has mentioned a number of instances that he needs to achieve the identical degree because the Large 3, however there may be nonetheless a protracted method to go to get on that listing.
The 21-year-old from Murcia was virtually unbeatable between the spring and summer time of 2024, however his run was interrupted in opposition to Novak Djokovic within the last of the Paris Olympics. Carlitos was the highest favourite to win the gold medal on his favourite floor, however a deluxe model of Nole and a few problem in dealing with the strain prevented him from realizing his dream. The younger Spaniard could have many different possibilities to win the gold medal, however that painful defeat has plagued him so much within the following months.
On the newest version of Andy Roddick’s podcast, tennis legend John McEnroe mentioned Alcaraz’s spectacular achievements: “When you had advised me the three guys 20 years in the past would beat Pete who was arguably the very best participant who ever lived, had 14 majors and it took 35 years for him to go Roy Emerson, that three of those guys would do it and hit 20 or extra, I might have mentioned you’re out of your thoughts.
I hope I’m mistaken about Alcaraz. That he’s not going to have the ability to preserve this up as lengthy, I nonetheless assume he’s going to win 10 of them, which might nonetheless be unbelievable.”
