Aslan Karatsev is ready to roll again: “I am OK to face anyone in the draw”
Given his recent form, Aslan Karatsev is one of the most dangerous floaters in the Roland Garros draw, and he feels ready for a run in Paris.
Aslan Karatsev, Madrid 2023 – © Oscar J Barroso/AFP7/Shutterstoc/SIPA
Straight out of nowhere, Aslan Karatsev made the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals, but that’s how things usually work with the Lion from Vladikavkaz.
Knowing him and his consistency issues, nobody could know for sure whether he would make it through the Roland-Garros qualifiers, where he was the No 1 seed, being ranked 62nd in the world. But he did so flawlessly without dropping a set versus Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Nick Hardt and Nicolas Moreno De Alboran.
“You give me a question and I will answer – no problem!“, said Karatsev to a small group of journalists, Tennis Majors included, when he was asked about his often brief answers to the press. This time, though, he was more willing to engage.
Karatsev prepared himself for the clay season at the Rafa Nadal Academy
Before the qualifiers were placed in the draw, it was possible for Karatsev – who owns a 6-7 record against top 10 players – to face top seed Carlos Alcaraz or second seed Daniil Medvedev.
“I didn’t know about that record. If you want to go far in the tournament, you will face the big players anyway. I am OK to face anyone in the draw, the key is to be mentally and physically prepared. I am ready to play“.
Earlier this season, Karatsev missed two Masters 1000 tournaments in the United States, as well as Dubai, because of an injury. After coming back, he lost two matches (San Remo Challenger to Kimmer Coppejans and to Francesco Passaro in Casablanca) before coming back to life in Munich where he won three matches, and his great run in Madrid.
“I was struggling a bit in March… I had some lower back problems and I spoke with (Andy) Murray. He helped me a lot. I went to a specialist he recommended in London. I flew there and it helped me a lot. After that, I practiced for one month at the Rafa Nadal Academy in order to prepare myself for the clay season. However, it takes time to adjust to the tournament rhythm and matches after only practicing for some time. Step by step, I am back“.
I think I am good in the consistency department right now.
Aslan Karatsev
Karatsev, a former world No 14 and an Australian Open semi-finalist, was asked when was the last time he felt this confident about his game.
“I would say 2021, and last year I played really well in Hamburg. It’s only a matter of how clear my mind is and how you approach practice every day – you have to do 100% every day and the results will follow“.
There is no Rafael Nadal in the draw, a strange feeling, a journalist started before Karatsev interrupted him laughingly:
“It’s an amazing feeling. No, no, of course I am kidding. It’s a little bit strange, of course, because he has won it so many times. I hope that he recovers as fast as he can and that we get to see him on the court as soon as possible. He is an unbelievable player and a legend of this sport“.
On a given day, Karatsev can beat anyone but he has been prone to some unexpected losses too. Does he feel ready to do some damage in Paris this year?
“We’ll see. I have little time to recover. Like I said, I am ready to face anybody. I think I am good in the consistency department right now. The key is to stay focused and mentally present every day, not only during matches. I feel like I am able to do that well now, it has helped me a lot“.
Karatsev has never been past the second round at Roland-Garros. This year, in the first he is due to play Alexei Popyrin, ranked No 82 in the world.
