Carlos Alcaraz entering the quarters of the 2023 US Open has issued a warning to his rivals saying those competing will have to suffer if they want to end his campaign at the season-ending slam.
Alcaraz also thinks that he has executed his aggressive game plan well so far and has played without doubts in his mind. The ATP #1 seed has dropped just lost one set en route to reaching the final eight at the New York major where he is a defending champion. The 2023 Wimbledon champion was leading by a set and a break when his R1 opponent Dominik Koepfer announced mid-match retirement. He then edged past Lloyd Harris in a comfortable fashion as he sealed the straight sets victory.
The Spaniard then dismantled #28 seed Dan Evans in four sets in R3 before racking up another triumph against the young Italian Matteo Arnaldi in R16 to book the quarterfinal meeting with Alexander Zverev.
Talking to Eurosport, Alcaraz was asked by former world No. 2 Alex Corretja if being a 2-time major titlist helps him feel “calmer” when approaching GSs, he replied:
“Yes, the truth is yes. I’ve already experienced important situations in Grand Slams. Even though I’m only 20 years old I feel a little bit experienced in these types of situations, which means there are many moments which I take with much more calmness than maybe before,” said the Spaniard.
“And I can play calmer knowing that if people want to beat me, they’re going to have to suffer, run a lot, and play a very, very high level for a long time. Physically I feel good, mentally quite good and tennis-wise I think I am playing at a high level, so in these situations I feel calmer.
“What we’re trying to do in each match, I think I’ve done that incredibly well. Playing aggressively, trying to go up to the net a lot of times, keeping the rest of my game tight – basically my game style. I think I haven’t doubted it at any moment, I’ve been faithful to my style in every moment of matches.”
Irrespective of the result of US Open, the 20-year old will have to concede ATP #1 crown to 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. The Cincinnati Open runner-up could face the Serbian in a Cincy rematch at Flushing Meadows as the duo have already split the SW19 and Cincinnati titles between them.