“The way you talk to yourself before the matches” – Alcaraz on his success mantra against top players
The Spaniard improved to 12-4 against top 10 players in 2024
Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Finals 2024
Image Credit: FITP Photos
Carlos Alcaraz scored his 12th win over a top 10 player on Wednesday. This time at the ATP Finals in Turin where beat Andrey Rublev in straight sets to keep his semi-final chances alive.
The win improves Alcaraz’s record against top 10 players this year to 12 wins against four losses and the Spaniard believes that his positive self-talk helps him achieve success against the very best in the sport.
“”Playing against the top players, you think to yourself that you have to play at your best tennis. If not, you are going to lose against them. That helps a lot,” the world No 3 said. “Before the matches against top players, realize what kind of game, what kind of shots you are going to play or you’re going to hit. I think that’s it. In tennis, really important (is) the mental game, the way you talk to yourself before the matches. When I’m going to play against a top player, I’m going to repeat myself that I’m better, I’m going to play my best, my 100% just to beat them.”
“Today I stepped on the court thinking I have to play better” – Alcaraz
Wednesday’s performance for Alcaraz was a marked difference to Monday’s where he was beaten in straight sets by Norway’s Capser Ruud. The Spaniard admitted after his loss that he had been feeling under the weather the past few days and even ended a practice session on Tuesday after a few minutes itself.
But Alcaraz said he tried to forget how he was feeling and instead focus on the tennis as he took to the court against Rublev.
“The match against Casper, it was difficult one for me. I didn’t feel well. It doesn’t matter. I had to play better feeling the way I felt against Casper. Today I felt almost the same. Probably a little bit better, but not too much. Today I stepped on the court thinking I have to play better. That’s it. Try to forget about I’m not feeling well and focus on I have to play good tennis, playing good rallies, good shots from the baseline, try to serve better. It’s going to be helpful for today’s match, the serve. I had many options in my mind if I could not feel well on the baseline running. I’m really happy that everything worked today from the baseline. Long rallies. After that, I could recover between points. I’m really grateful and really happy to be able to do it,” the Spaniard said.
Alcaraz will face world No 2 Alexander Zverev in his final group match on Friday with both players gunning for one of the two semi-final berths from the John Newcombe group.
