Alcaraz back on unfamiliar grass after French Open disappointment

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court throughout the Qualifying Weekend forward of the Cinch Championship at The Queen’s Club on Saturday in London, England.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images for LTA

Carlos Alcaraz heads into solely his third profession grass court docket match at Queen’s Club, determined to shake off his French Open horror present however admitting the swap of surfaces poses “difficult” questions.

The 20-year-old Spaniard noticed his dream of including the French Open to his 2022 US Open title spectacularly unravel as a result of entire physique cramping triggered, he admitted, by the stress and stress of going through Novak Djokovic.

His defeat within the semifinal in Paris to eventual champion Djokovic additionally noticed him relinquish his world primary rating.

However, the flamboyant shot-maker now faces a recent dilemma — find out how to grasp the calls for of grass courts with Wimbledon simply two weeks away.

“I arrived in London Saturday morning and I had my first practice on grass yesterday,” Alcaraz stated throughout a press convention on Sunday on the west London venue.

“I was not able to practice too much at home as we have no grass courts. I need to adapt my movement and shots on the grass, but I am really happy with the practice I have had here.”

Alcaraz, who made the fourth spherical at Wimbledon final 12 months, stated he rested for 4 days following his Roland-Garros exit.

With 10 titles below his belt — seven on clay and three on exhausting courts — he now wants to make use of his recharged batteries to attract up a grass court docket masterplan.

“The most difficult part is to move well on grass. You need to be more careful than other surfaces, so for me to move on grass is the most difficult,” he admitted.

“The most comfortable is going to the net and playing aggressively all the time. For me it is similar to other surfaces with my style. Playing that style is comfortable and I like it.

“There are a lot of players who slice on grass. I am not one of them, so I have to think about the movement. I have to be focused on every movement and shot.

“For me it is more tiring when you are moving on grass. It is totally different, so you have to be really specific.”

Alcaraz, the highest seed at Queen’s, will start his pursuit of a fifth title this season towards French qualifier Arthur Fils.