Carlos Alcaraz’s backhand is one the fiercest weapons on the ATP Tour. The Spaniard’s devastating proficiency with two palms off that wing most likely explains why his dalliance with a one-handed model of the shot didn’t final lengthy.
“After I was younger, I beloved to attempt new issues,” stated Alcaraz on Tuesday as he clarified a journalist’s suggestion that coaches had thought of growing his one-hander as a child. “Most likely the one-handed backhand was a kind of issues that I practised for simply at some point. I like to do totally different photographs, various things on court docket. Most likely that day I watched a Roger Federer match, and I attempted to mimic him.
“I believe my backhand, it was bettering throughout these years. After I was younger, my forehand was my greatest shot. It is nonetheless my greatest shot, however I really feel actually comfy with my backhand.”
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Alcaraz’s backhand was amongst a number of sides of his recreation that appeared in fantastic fettle Tuesday on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the place the highest seed led 6-2, 3-2 in his US Open first-round conflict towards Dominik Koepfer earlier than the German retired with an ankle damage. Alcaraz hopes to take care of that degree in his second-round assembly with Lloyd Harris as he continues his defence of his US Open crown.
“I felt nice through the match. I began fairly effectively,” stated Alcaraz. “Actually focussed. Actually, I did not anticipate to play such an amazing degree the start, the primary spherical, right here within the US Open.
“I’m very, very pleased with the extent, even when Domi needed to retire. I’ve to [look at] myself and hopefully maintain that degree into the subsequent spherical.”
Alcaraz has typically spoken about his want to have interaction with followers as he goes about his on-court enterprise. After Tuesday’s match was curtailed because of Koepfer’s damage, the 20-year-old even supplied up an alternate supply of leisure throughout his on-court interview with a quick rendition of Colombian singer Sebastian Yatra’s tune VAGABUNDO.
“We attempt to carry good vibes to the group, to the folks. I attempt to be myself on a regular basis,” stated Alcaraz later when requested about his relationship with spectators throughout his matches. “I believe the folks love that a part of me. I’m at all times completely satisfied, smiling.
“I like that individuals name me Carlitos, my nickname. That is it. It is nice to know that individuals love that, as effectively.”
Carlos Alcaraz can carry a tune 🎵
He provides his greatest @SebastianYatra impression! pic.twitter.com/qMbAZ3nG0g
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2023
Having lifted his maiden Grand Slam title on the US Open a 12 months in the past, Alcaraz is defending a significant crown for the primary time this fortnight at Flushing Meadows. As he has finished so typically throughout his meteoric rise to changing into the youngest No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings historical past, the Spaniard is taking all of it in his stride.
“I used to be excited to play my first spherical right here within the US Open,” stated Alcaraz. “It was nice to step on court docket once more in Arthur Ashe after such an amazing run final 12 months. I used to be excited to come back again.
“I am not serious about defending the title. I used to be not serious about that I used to be the champion final 12 months. I simply give attention to enjoying my greatest degree, to get well the extent that I performed final 12 months, and attempt to do the identical issues that I did final 12 months. That is the one factor that I am pondering proper now.
“I attempt to be aside from all of the stress folks placed on me about being the defending champion.”
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#Watched #Roger #Day #Quick #Lifespan #Alcaraz #OneHander