“Not thinking about people’s expectations” Carlos Alcaraz confident of a comeback after an early exit from Monte Carlo Masters
Follow Us
Carlos Alcaraz (Via ATP)
Carlos Alcaraz lost in three sets against Sebastian Korda on Wednesday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, a rare defeat for him. The Spanish star was certain that the defeat had nothing to do with expectations. After winning the Miami Open, all eyes were on the 18-year-old. Prior to the year’s first clay-court ATP Masters 1000 tournament, Alcaraz stated that he was not physically or emotionally exhausted.
Many expected Carlos to make an easy transition from hard court to his preferred clay surface after winning the Miami Open. But it wasn’t to be, as the American won the battle of the Next Gen stars 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 6-3. In the Monte Carlo Open, the 18-year-old came out to serve for the first set but was broken to love, and he missed three set points in game 10 of the second set before winning the tie-breaker.
He then broke in the third set’s first game, but his advantage was wiped out in game four before Sebastian Korda broke again in game eight. Alcaraz won the Rio Open on clay before returning to hard courts to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Open and win his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Florida.
After the game, he said,” I’m a bit disappointed with myself. I had a lot of chances to be up in the match and close to winning, but these losses sometimes [are] good to live. You have to play matches,” Alcaraz said. “But I didn’t think about the expectations that the people have [for] me. I just focussed on myself and what I have to do. But as I said, you have to play more matches on clay courts.”
He said, “I’m ready to [go] back [to] training and focus on the next tournaments,” Alcaraz said. “It [was] a tough match, but I think mentally I’m ready to play these kinds of matches, long matches, and tough matches. I mean, mentally and physically, I’m ready.”
Where is the young Spaniard headed?
Alcaraz confessed that the switch from hard to clay contributed to his defeat. Despite the loss, Alcaraz has a lifetime record of 18-8 in tour-level clay matches. He is now ready to adapt to the changes and play on the clay court. The Spaniard said, “It’s never easy to get used to playing on clay courts. The first match is always tough, even when you are playing against Sebastian, a great player. Today was difficult conditions, the wind and everything,” Alcaraz said. “Now is time to be focussed on the next tournament and keep playing on clay.”
He acknowledges that he battled with the weather and the terrain. After a shock loss to Sebastian Korda at the Monte Carlo Masters, Carlos Alcaraz has returned to training in the hopes of regaining his clay form. He hopes to compensate for his loss as he looks forward to getting ready for the Barcelona Open which will be happening from April 17- to April-25.
We hope that the rising star gets his groove back and dazzles us with his skills as he did in the Miami Open and goes on to win his first-ever Grand Slam.
Also Read: “It’s atrocious” Mats Wilander disappointed with young Australian players imitating Nick Kyrgios
Stay Updated!
Harini Mahesh
(159 Articles Published)