Andre Agassi Explains How Rivals Can Trouble Carlos Alcaraz: “A Few Guys Can Get to Him”

Carlos Alcaraz lost one of the four matches he played in last year’s Laver Cup. And it was to Taylor Fritz, who also registered his career’s first win over the Spaniard. The seven-time Grand Slam champion is in London for the Laver Cup, set to start on September 25 at The O2 Arena.

Alcaraz will be playing under Team Europe captain Yannick Noah, while Team World will be led by Andre Agassi. Both Noah and Agassi made their debut in the tournament last year. Agassi, while discussing Fritz’s victory over Alcaraz, said there are a few rivals who can challenge the World No. 3, but only if they play their game with full conviction.

There’s not a guy I look at, that I don’t think can be better, in one way or another. I try to help them believe that. Sometimes that plays out very strategically, what he needs to do more of today than he usually does. And it’s also the clarity of conviction. I think Taylor brought what he needed to do.

Andre Agassi said (via Laver Cup)

Alcaraz will be competing in his second tournament since returning to the tour after recovering from injury. Before arriving in London, he participated in the US Open, where eventual runner-up Ben Shelton defeated him in a five-set thriller in the quarterfinals.

Alcaraz, he can wreak havoc against anybody. He can beat anybody at any time. But there are a few guys that, if they execute their game with full conviction, they can get to him. It meant a lot to Taylor, it meant a lot to the team, and it probably was the difference maker last year.

Andre Agassi added

Noah will be guiding a team featuring Alexander Zverev, Flavio Cobolli, Rafael Jodar, Jakub Mensik, Casper Ruud, Arthur Fery, and Alcaraz. Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima, Alexander Bublik, Francisco Cerundolo, and Ignacio Buse will play under Agassi. Last year, Team World beat their opponents 15-9, winning their third title in the tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz says the US Open should learn from Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz‘s four-hour, 28-minute marathon quarterfinals against Ben Shelton in the New York Slam ended at 3:33 am. The 23-year-old, during his interview with BBC Sport in London, called for a Wimbledon-like curfew at the US Open.

I think it’s too much. The last match people stayed but if that match was played earlier, the court could have been packed. I would like to change the schedule a little, with a maximum finish at 11 pm or whatever would be better.

Three of the five-set matches of eventual champion Alexander Zverev finished past 1 am. Venus Williams‘ first-round match finished at 2 am. That Alcaraz versus Shelton match was the latest finish in the tournament’s history.

At Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz was bidding to defend his title. It was the first tournament he played since recovering from a wrist injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open.

Following the Laver Cup, Alcaraz will be aiming to defend his title at the Japan Open, which starts on September 30. Last year, the Murcia native defeated Taylor Fritz in the final.

Alcaraz has so far made three finals, winning the Australian Open by beating Novak Djokovic, which made him the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. He later beat Arthur Fils in the Qatar Open final. Alcaraz lost his No.1 ranking following his defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Monte-Carlo Masters final. Sinner, who skipped the US Open due to a knee injury, will be playing at the China Open, the main draw of which starts on September 30

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