Alcaraz says his recovery from injury is still a work in progress: “I still don’t trust the forearm 100 percent”

You wouldn’t have known it by watching his comfortable third-round win over Thiago Seyboth Wild in Madrid on Sunday but Carlos Alcaraz says he’s still has a fear factor when it comes to his forehand as he continues to build full strength following a recent right arm injury.

The good news for Alcaraz is that he says he’s pain free but the Spaniard, who missed both Monte-Carlo and Barcelona due to the injury, again wore a sleeve on his right arm for protection.

And as he prepares to face the in-form German, Jan-Lennard Struff, in the last 16, the two-time Grand Slam champion says he’s still holding back.

“I think I’m in a good shape right now,” he told reporters in English. “I’m not feeling anything in the forearm, and I played good tennis.

“Obviously I’m not hitting my forehand on my 100 percent, let’s say, or in the way that I used to hitting, before feeling something in the forearm, but I’m just focused to hitting the forehand as much relaxed as I can and going, you know, in front, let’s say.

“I’m really happy with the things that I’m doing in the forearm. I’m really happy to be competitive without pain, but I’m still focused every day in that.”

“I just need to let those thoughts go away”

Like anyone recovering from injury, there is a fear factor for Alcaraz and when the ball comes to his forehand, he has to think about what to do, rather than hit it instinctively.

“When I want to it a forehand hard, I’m asking myself how the arm will react,” he said. “It’s there in my mind. Juanqui (Ferrero) tells me to go with a very relaxed hand and that’s what I do.

“I still don’t trust 100 percent the forearm. I have doubts, it’s just in my head. I love competing so from time to time I want to go hard and I think about it.

“I can’t say I play at a lower percentage, I play differently. You’re used to see me push my forehand to my 200%, several times in the match and Juanqui tells me that I don’t need to go that far. My forehand is close to my 100 percent. I’m happy with my game and by the ball’s trajectory.

“I’m moving well, I’m feeling good and I have no pain. I just need time to let these thoughts go away. I feel I still have a room for improvement.”

Alcaraz still confident

Struff is likely to be a step up for Alcaraz on his first two opponents, having won his first ever title in Munich.

But Alcaraz says he still has plenty of confidence in his game and ability to win matches, even if he has yet to fully let go on the forehand.

“We all know Struff’s level and style,” he said. “He’s not an easy man to compete against but I trust my level. It’s not my priority this week to look for a great results but I have to give me opportunities during this match. I’m feeling well physically, no problem with the surface, I’m improving every day. My level is fine, but I’m still in a day to day process.”

You might also like this

Alcaraz shines in straightforward victory over Seyboth Wild to reach last 16 in Madrid

tennis majors

Mission accomplished: Alcaraz’s goal to play pain-free has been achieved, but he’s not yet willing to fire at 100 percent in Madrid

tennis majors

Alcaraz back with a bang as he records first clay win of the year at Madrid Masters

tennis majors