Confident Alcaraz reveals his greatest strength; putting pressure on the opponent with every shot
The Spaniard also said he’s fully recovered from the thigh injury that affected him in Rio
Antoine Couvercelle/Panoramic
Anyone who has seen Carlos Alcaraz play over the last two years will know the impact he’s had on the Tour, his win at the US Open last September making him the youngest man ever to become world No 1.
The Spaniard’s honesty when speaking to the media makes him even more approachable and the confidence of the 19-year-old is such that he’s not worried about hiding away the reasons for his success.
Alcaraz is good at every element of the game; that much is obvious. But after streaking into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Thanasi Kokkinakis on Saturday, the Spaniard not only showed he’s fully fit again after injury, he also explained his greatest strength.
“Well, I would say the pressure that I put on the opponent in every shot,” he told reporters in Indian Wells. “Returning, for example, I push the opponent to a limit, trying to go for it in every shot. I would say that’s the most dangerous part of my game that I would say the opponents feel that the pressure in every shot.
“I move well. I would say I’m fast and reach every ball, or I try. But the pressure I put in every shot to opponent, I would say that.”
Alcaraz: “I’m fully recovered from injury”
Alcaraz’s participation in Indian Wells was in doubt for a while after he played the final of the Rio Open with his thigh heavily strapped and his movement clearly restricted.
But there was no sign of any problem against Kokkinakis and the world No 2 – who could regain the No 1 ranking if he wins the title in the absence of Novak Djokovic – looks full of confidence as he plays Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.
“I recovered really well,” he said. “It seems today that I moved really well. I felt really comfortable playing here. Well, more movement here. So I think I’m ready and totally recovered from the injury.”
People in this post
More tennis news
How the old Zverev weighed down the new Zverev in the Masters semi-finals
Norway, Christian Ruud, Grand Slam runner-up: Everything you always wanted to know about Casper Ruud (but never had time to find out) – updated after 2024 ATP Finals exit
Italy, Carota Boys, Australian Open, drugs case: Everything you always wanted to know about Jannik Sinner (but never had the time to find out) – updated after reaching 2024 ATP Finals final
“It comes to a point where you wonder if tennis can be played any better” – Ruud on Sinner’s stratospheric performance
Players, prize money, dates, tickets: Everything you always wanted to know about the 2024 ATP Finals (but never had time to find out) – updated after Day 7
