“It’s not ideal” Carlos Alcaraz unhappy with the scheduling at the Madrid Open
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Carlos Alcaraz (Via ATP)
World No. 9 and the 7th seed at the ongoing 2022 Madrid Open, Carlos Alcaraz has come up with complaints about the scheduling of his match. Being one of the star attractions of the tournament for his recent feats, the tournament had scheduled his match as the final match at the Manolo Santana stadium in the evening session.
Alcaraz was up against Nikoloz Basilashvili in the second-round clash and went on to defeat the Georgian 6-3, 7-5 to move into the Round of 16. It was not a perfect win as Nikoloz had many questions for the teenager but Alcaraz found the answers to grind out the win much to the satisfaction of the spectators.
“I think I played really well. This is a tough opponent. He plays really hard. I think that the first match in every tournament is tough, but I knew that I had to keep up the pace from the beginning to the end and try not to let him dominate. At the beginning of each set, it cost me a little bit, but in the end, we got him out. I am a player who fights until the last ball. I was focused from the beginning to the end and I’m really happy to get into the next round.
“I think I’m more mature now. One year is not too much time to get mature but I think I’m a different player, a different person now. I manage the nerves better than before and I think now I’m ready to play these kinds of matches in these kinds of stadiums in front of a lot of people. I’m feeling comfortable in these types [of matches],” said Alcaraz about his win after the match.
“I will go to bed very late”: Carlos Alcaraz
Having celebrated his 18th birthday last year in his second round defeat to childhood idol Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz will celebrate his 19th birthday when he enters the court for his Round of 16 match against a yet to be confirmed opponent. Alcaraz was however not happy with his match being kept in night and expressed his desire to play in the day sessions instead.
“Obviously I would prefer to play earlier because now, between one thing and another, I will go to bed very late. For recovery, it is not ideal. I prefer to play earlier,” said Alcaraz speaking of his personal preference to play his games earlier in the day. While the scheduling is done by tournament officials, it is a common instance when top seeds are asked about their prefernece for the court and time and given Carlitos’ popularity, it will be interesting to see if his plea is heard.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)