Tennis: ‘It won’t be easy’ – Alcaraz plays catch-up after four months out
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Carlos Alcaraz during a training session on Saturday ahead of the Argentina Open.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BUENOS AIRES – Carlos Alcaraz returns to tennis action in Buenos Aires after four months on the sidelines
The 19-year-old Spanish sensation captured a maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2022 before going on to become the youngest-ever world No. 1.
However, a leg muscle tear at the Paris Masters in November
Alcaraz also lost his top ranking to the 22-time Major winner from Serbia.
“This will be my first tournament since I picked up the injury in Paris,” he told a news conference on Saturday at the Buenos Aires clay-court event.
“It’s been four months since then. But I always arrive thinking about winning and wanting to win, even though it won’t be easy after such a long time without competing.”
Alcaraz will get his season under way in the Argentinian capital with a second-round clash against either Fabio Fognini or Laslo Djere after receiving a first-round bye.
“I’ve come a few days early, to train with really good players, gradually improve and to be able to start the tournament as well as possible,” added the top seed.
Alcaraz had a breakout 2022. As well as becoming the youngest US Open champion since Pete Sampras in 1990, he also defeated Djokovic and compatriot Rafael Nadal on back-to-back days on his way to the Madrid Masters crown.
He also claimed the Miami Masters and ATP 500-level trophies in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona.
“It was a very good year. I achieved my dream, my goal, very quickly. I dealt with it as naturally as possible,” said Alcaraz.
“After becoming No. 1, I had to set new goals, new things for the long term, to continue to enjoy myself, continue to improve because I’m very young and I have a lot of things to improve.
“Despite being the No. 1, you have to keep training and looking forward.”
He has few doubts over who he needs to keep emulating – Nadal, Djokovic and the now-retired Roger Federer.
“When they were young, they were so good but, as time has gone by, they’ve improved...
“I think I can improve everything in terms of my game, fitness and mentality. Little by little, my team will take those small steps to get even better.” AFP, REUTERS
