As the top seed at the Cinch Championships at Queen’s Club, Carlos Alcaraz believes he is refreshed, prepared for the grass-court season, and keen to put a “worrying” Roland Garros defeat behind him.
One of the strong favorites in Paris was the No. 2 player in the world right now, who advanced to the clay-court Grand Slam semifinals by dropping just one set. Alcaraz had successfully overcome opponents like No. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and No. 17 Lorenzo Musetti, but his attempt to win a second major championship fell short when he faced Novak Djokovic in a titanic match. Alcaraz had competed in two intense sets, keeping up with Djokovic and making highlights-reel-caliber blistering shots along the way. But, his level abruptly dipped in the third set as muscle cramps took control, first in his hands and legs and then spreading to include his entire body.
Talking with the L’Equipe, Alcaraz disclosed: “It was nothing serious. People were worried to see me in that state, but it was simply the result of the tension I had to deal with during that match, the nervousness of playing Djokovic in the semi-finals.
They were cramps due to the fact that playing against Djokovic requires you to give it your all. But I recovered and rested as I should have.”
“The problem was mental”
Then Carlitos added:
“Physically, I’m at a great level. I consider myself to be a player with good physical qualities. The problem was mental. I didn’t prepare myself properly for the match and what was in store for me. I put too much stress and too much pressure on myself.
After the first two sets, which were super demanding, if you add the extra tension I put on myself, what happened was what happened.”
Alcaraz may face Matteo Berrettini as early as in the 3rd round at e Queen’s Club. This is the draw.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
WLWLLWLWWW Ranked no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 9th of June when he capitulated to world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 in the semifinal of the French Open (draw).
During this season Alcaraz has managed to achieve a 35-4 match record. Carlos clinched 4 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona and Madrid. Carlos was the finalist in Rio de Janeiro.
Matteo Berrettini in 2023
Currently ranked no.21, Matteo played his last match on the 12th of June when he capitulated to world no.41 Lorenzo Sonego 6-1 6-2 in the 1st round in Stuttgart (draw).
At present, during this year Matteo has managed to achieve a 9-8 record. Matteo Berrettini’s most significant result of the present season was getting to the final in Australia.
He is also scheduled to play in Wimbledon (Wimbledon). The main draw will start on the 3rd of July.
Carlos Alcaraz and Matteo Berrettini played each other 3 times. Their record is 2-1 for Alcaraz. Before, the last time they played, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 2-6 6-2 in the quarter in Rio de Janeiro (Rio Open) in February 2022.
Carlos Alcaraz |
| Embed from Getty Images |
