“I’m hungry just to be better” – Alcaraz undeterred by Draper loss ahead of Wimbledon title defence

Thursday at the Queen’s Club saw Carlos Alcaraz experience something the 21-year-old hasn’t felt in almost two years: defeat on grass. 

With the world No 2 going down to a red-hot Jack Draper in straight sets on Thursday, Alcaraz now has 10 days to ponder his Wimbledon title defence.

Alcaraz’s brilliant run on grass in 2023 – where he won both Queen’s and Wimbledon – have masked the fact that he’s still largely a novice on the surface. Hailing from Spain, where grass courts aren’t exactly prevalent, the Spaniard has still played just 20 professional matches on the surface across his career.

However, his loss to Draper isn’t deterring Alcaraz from his Wimbledon plans.

“Right now I’m hungry just to be better, to practise, and that’s all I have to do,” Alcaraz declared on Thursday.

“I’m really excited to start Wimbledon. Of course I really want to win every title that I [play for], and I think Wimbledon is even more special. So, as I said, I have time, and excited to start the first match on Centre Court.”

Losses a part of life, says Alcaraz

When asked about his defeat at Queen’s, Alcaraz was level-headed in his response.

“Of course it’s tough to deal with the losses, but I think it’s part of our lives.

“We have to [deal with it] as good as you can. After the losses, you have to take the positive things and of course the negative things just to improve to the next tournament.”

The three-time Grand Slam champion’s plan is to remain on the surface the next 10 days, and utilise this time to fine-tune his game heading into Wimbledon.

“I think the best way to be better on grass is to stay here, practise with players, physically doing good stuff on grass and the movement, really specific things,” explained Alcaraz.

“In Spain or at my home, we don’t have grass courts or really grass places just to practise.

“I’m close to Wimbledon, so as soon as I can, I’m going focus on the practising with players, practising and everything, and I hope to be better.”

Alcaraz will be boosted by the return of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who was absent for his Queen’s campaign this year but rejoins the Spaniard on Monday.

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