“I’m fully recovered” – right-arm pain (almost) a bad memory for Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz easily beat J.J. Wolf in the first round of Roland-Garros on Sunday

Carlos Alcaraz, Roland-Garros, 2024 © Baptiste Autissier / Panoramic

Jérémy Baudu

May 26, 2024

Roland Garros •First round • completed

See draw

J. WolfvsC. Alcaraz

The sleeve is still present on Carlos Alcaraz‘s right arm, but more as a precaution than a real necessity. On the opening day of the tournament, the Spaniard reassured himself by easily winning his first round at Roland-Garros against J.J. Wolf.

“I think my arm is 100%,” said the 20-year-old in a press conference after his victory.

“Obviously, I still feel weird, let’s say, or I’m afraid to hit all the forehands 100 percent. It’s still in my mind, but I didn’t feel anything after the game, I didn’t feel anything, which is really, really good for me. So I can say that I am fully recovered.”

Alcaraz played a perfect match, showing no signs of pain when he hit his forehands at full power. An encouraging start even if he will certainly face sterner tests later in the tournament.

“I think today’s game was very good. I played at a very high level. Honestly, I feel like I haven’t stopped playing, and it’s good for me to feel like that from the first match, from the first round, just to get into the rhythm, to gain confidence for the next rounds.”

MY EXPECTATIONS PROBABLY WENT UP AFTER TODAY’S GAME
Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz’s performance gives him better prospects for the rest of the tournament and probably allows him to dream a little bigger. In a press conference, the world No three admitted that he had revised his ambitions upwards.

“Honestly, I didn’t have a lot of expectations coming into this tournament, but after the week of training, after this first round, the confidence is greater. My expectations probably went up after today’s game, but let’s see.

“All I can say is that I feel good on the court. I feel very good in this match, so I hope to continue.”