While Carlos Alcaraz has insisted that his bandaged left leg at the US Open is just out of precaution yet the Spaniard has spared fresh concerns over his physical fitness before the last weekend of action at Flushing Meadows.
Alcaraz was in dazzling form as he prevailed against Alexander Zverev in the straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night session but couldn’t hide his thigh laced with strapping.
The quarterfinal clash against his German opponent lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes and was not particularly demanding so the 20-year-old was expected to get back on the practice courts before his semifinal clash against Medvedev however, the US Open schedule confirmed Murcia-native and his team had not booked a practice court on Thursday.
The practice schedule was loaded with big names like Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff and WTA #1 seed Aryna Sabalenka who reserved practice courts who were set to train for Ben Shelton, Karolina Muchova and Madison Keys challenges respectively. Alcaraz fans should not be too concerned about their player as the defending US Open champion has set alarm bells off while talking to ATP tour official website. Here is what he said about side-stepping the training and not booking the practice court slots ahead of his blockbuster clash with the Russian.
“There are days when I dedicate my time to fitness and not tennis,” Alcaraz told the ATP.
“There are a lot of days when I prefer to work on load training and fitness, rather than practice tennis.”
He also skipped a lot of on-court practice days at the Roland Garros earlier this year and offered and also explained his approach on the training sessions.
“I haven’t been training on the days I haven’t played and it’s worked well,” he confirmed.
“I’m doing things very well and I feel good. Mentally, I’m fresh. Why change things if it’s working?”
Players traditionally take to the practice courts on their ‘off’ days at majors, but Alcaraz has the habit of following his own routines of non-conformity.
The strapping on his leg has been a concern for his army of fans around the world, as well as tennis fiends who have their fingers crossed to witness another Alcaraz-Djokovic epic in US Open final.
Yet the ATP #1 has insisted his injury concern in New York is not a big concern, when inquired about the strapped left leg.
“It’s pretty tough playing in a Grand Slam,” said the sparkling Spaniard.
“You play tough matches for two weeks and it’s normal that you get some pains in your body and you have to take care of it. It’s nothing serious. I’m just taking care of it.”
Alcaraz is relishing the prospect of a second successive US Open final and he displayed no signs of an injury issue during his commanding straight sets win against Zverev.
“I’m very, very comfortable playing in this court, playing here in New York. I am showing my best level here.
“Last year was very tough as from the fourth round I played five sets to get to the final.
“Here I’ve played just one match that has gone to four sets. I feel great physically and I’m ready to play a great battle with Medvedev in the semi-finals.
“I am more mature now. I grew up a lot since last year.
“Last year was my first semi-final of a Grand Slam. Now this is my fourth one. Now I feel like I am a totally different player. I deal better with the pressure in the big moments. I’m a different person and player.”