Despite his convincing victory over Thiago Seyboth Wild in the third round on Sunday in Madrid, Carlos Alcaraz says he still feels worried when it comes to his forehand as he works to regain full strength after suffering a recent injury to his right arm.
Alcaraz reports that he is pain-free, but he once again put a sleeve on his right arm for protection. The Spaniard missed both Barcelona and Monte-Carlo because of the injury.
Additionally, the two-time Grand Slam champion claims he is still holding back as he gets ready to take on German player Jan-Lennard Struff in the round of 16.
Alcaraz stated his remarks in a recent interview and said: “I think I’m in good shape right now. I’m not feeling anything in my forearm, and I played good tennis. I’m not hitting my forehand 100%, let’s say, or in the way that I used to hit before feeling something in the forearm, but I’m just focused on hitting the forehand as relaxed as I can and going, you know, in front, let’s say. I’m really happy with the things that I’m doing in the forearm. I’m really happy to be competitive without pain, but I’m still focused every day on that.”
He further added: “When I want to use my forehand hard, I’m asking myself how the arm will react. It’s there in my mind. Juanqui (Ferrero) tells me to go with a very relaxed hand and that’s what I do. I still don’t trust 100% of the forearm. I have doubts; it’s just in my head. I love competing so from time to time I want to go hard and I think about it. I can’t say I play at a lower percentage; I play differently. You’re used to seeing me push my forehand to 200% several times in the match and Juanqui tells me that I don’t need to go that far. My forehand is close to my 100 I’m happy with my game and by the ball’s trajectory. I’m moving well, I’m feeling good and I have no pain. I just need time to let these thoughts go away. I feel I still have room for improvement.”
Alcaraz in Madrid, ranking, and results in 2024
Ranked no.3, Carlos owns a compiled 17-4 win-loss record in 2024. Carlos is now competing in Madrid where he ousted the world no.59 Alexander Shevchenko 6-2 6-1 and the world no.63 Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3 6-3.
Carlos Alcaraz will take on the world no.24 Jan-Lennard Struff in the 4th round. Their actual record is 2-1 for Alcaraz.
Alcaraz has won 1 title in 2024 in Indian Wells.
Carlos won 14 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 7 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Alcaraz is scheduled to compete next in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 8th of May.
Carlos Alcaraz |
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