Carlos Alcaraz likes to play just a few exhibition matches through the 12 months, desirous to have enjoyable and provides the followers a lot of spectacular photographs. The previous world No.1 is immensely gifted and has an enormous vary of options on the tennis courtroom, which is why he is among the most fascinating gamers to look at in any match he performs.
The younger Spanish champion performed two exhibition matches in the USA initially of December, going through Ben Shelton in New York and Frances Tiafoe in Charlotte respectively. Some followers and insiders criticized Carlitos for this alternative, stating that it might have been higher for him to dedicate that point to getting ready for 2025.
Nonetheless – as he admitted a number of instances in 2024 – the 21-year-old from Murcia must get pleasure from life at sure instances and would not need 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 received two Grand Slam titles (Roland Garros and Wimbledon) and a Masters 1000 (Indian Wells).
The 4-time Grand Slam champion wants to enhance by way of consistency and is working towards laborious together with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who will comply with him to Australia for the primary Main of the brand new season.
Ferrero won’t be Carlos’ solely coach subsequent 12 months, given the current addition of Samuel Lopez (former coach of Pablo Carreno Busta). The latter will accompany the world quantity 3 through 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 towards Tiafoe in Puerto Rico in early March.
Throughout a current interview with Eurosport, ATP legend Mats Wilander mirrored on Carlitos’ option to play some exhibitions through the season: “I believe it’s very constructive that Carlos Alcaraz performs sure exhibitions.
I’m not an enormous fan if you’re going to play an exhibition match the place you need to play 4 or 5 matches and even three or 4.
However if you go to huge stadiums like Madison Sq. Backyard, it’s okay, and it’s only one match. We’re not speaking about getting ready 4 or 5 days earlier than after which taking part in three or 4 matches.”
Mats additionally added: “So the entire dialogue concerning the schedule being too powerful and too many matches having been performed, I believe generally you need 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 believe he’s achieved the suitable factor.”
The rivalry with Sinner
The Spaniard has already achieved mind-blowing outcomes for his age, however he should not cease working if he desires to turn into probably the greatest gamers of all time.
The rivalry with Jannik Sinner might be very helpful for Carlitos, who is aware of he should at all times be 100% match to have the ability to compete towards the Italian. The world No. 1 has had spectacular consistency in 2024, outdistancing his nice rival by virtually 5000 factors regardless of Alcaraz successful two Grand Slam titles in the identical 12 months.
The present world quantity 3 has stated a number of instances that he desires to succeed in the identical stage because the Massive 3, however there may be nonetheless an extended 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 towards 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 stress prevented him from realizing his dream. The younger Spaniard can have many different probabilities 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: “In the event you had advised me the three guys 20 years in the past would beat Pete who was arguably the most effective 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 stated you’re out of your thoughts.
I hope I’m flawed about Alcaraz. That he’s not going to have the ability to maintain this up as lengthy, I nonetheless assume he’s going to win 10 of them, which might nonetheless be unbelievable.”
