Alcaraz says movement is key for him to have success on grass

The Spaniard begins his grass-court campaign at Queen’s on Tuesday

Carlos Alcaraz (Antoine Couvercelle/Panoramic)

June 20, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz begins his grass-court campaign at London’s Queen’s Club on Tuesday, focusing on one thing above all; his movement.

The Spaniard is perhaps the fastest player on the ATP Tour but knows that when it comes to grass, things are a little different, requiring slight alterations to master the surface.

“The most difficult part is to move well on grass,” Alcaraz said at his pre-tournament press conference on Sunday. “You need to be more careful than other surfaces, so for me to move on grass is the most difficult.”

“The most comfortable (thing) is going to the net and playing aggressively all the time. For me it is similar to other surfaces with my style. Playing that style is comfortable and I like it.

“There are a lot of players who slice on grass. I am not one of them, so I have to think about the movement. I have to be focused on every movement and shot. For me it is more tiring when you are moving on grass. It is totally different, so you have to be really specific.”

Arthur Fils has withdrawn from @QueensTennis

Fils will be replaced by @arthurrinder, who will face top seed Carlos Alcaraz later today.#cinchChampionships pic.twitter.com/nwoBTG5ord

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 20, 2023

Alcaraz says he is feeling good after his semi-final exit at the French Open, where he was beaten by Novak Djokovic, with cramps affecting him badly in the second and third sets.

His first-round opponent at Queen’s – for the cinch Championships – was due to be Frenchman Arthur Fils but after an injury, he was replaced in the draw by another Frenchman, Arthur Rinderknech.

According to the ATP Tour, Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero is taking the week off so the 20-year-old will be accompanied by Samuel Lopez at Queen’s.