Carlos Alcaraz says it with words when he answers some journalists who insist on putting the “next” on him: is not “the next” nothing and no one but is already here, “at the moment, playing with the best, in the best tournaments”. This Monday night, and late Tuesday morning, she said it in New York with tennis.
The one from El Palmar has been imposed in eighths from the US Open to Marin Cilicthe champion at Flushing Meadows in 2014. He has done so after a intense and extensive five-set match, a battle of technique, pick and shovel and more sparkles on both sides of the net. And when after three hours and 54 minutes of play he has sealed the 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6 and 6-3, Alcaraz, at 19 years old, and for the second consecutive year, has placed in the rooms of the last big of the year.
there it waits for you Jannik Sinner, 21-year-old Italian, 13 in the world. And although the Murcian beat him in 2021 in Paris-Bercy, Sinner was the executioner of him this year in the Umag final and in the Wimbledon round of 16. “I’m a competitive guy and I want him“, recognized Alcaraz. “Hopefully, the third time will be the charm.”
Confidence
To get to that duel, Alcaraz has overcome another monumental one, that of Cilic, which has been “difficult”. “Honestly I don’t know how I was able & rdquor ;, Alcaraz said before the spectators who were still in the stands around half past two in the morning who had seen that battle with the Croatian tower, which he had already knocked down this year also in Miami and Cincinnati. But Alcaraz pronounced another phrase that is essential to understand what was seen and lived and the result: “I believe in myself all the time”
Then also in the press room, where only Spanish journalists were left at three in the morning, he insisted on how he had achieved it. “Had have believe in yourselfI knew I was going to get my chances, I had to be there pushing all the time, keeping the level”. It would have been better to win in three sets, but the marathon of almost four hours gives him “confidence” and lets him know that he is well “tenistically, physically and mentally“.
Youth
Alcaraz continues with his triumphant year. With this victory addition 48, more than any other player this year. And in New York, where he has been the face for Spanish tennis on the same day that the cross has been Nadal’s farewell, he is the youngest tennis player to reach the round of eight in the Open era.
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The current number three of the world also maintains its sunrise options next Monday as the number one youngest in history. He will get it if he wins the final against Casper Ruud or if he reaches that title fight against any rival other than the Norwegian.
At the moment, however, Alcaraz doesn’t even want to think about the possibility of lifting the trophy in New York or that number 1. “I see it as a long way off even if I have two or three games left,” he said. “They are high-level matches with high demands andI try not to think about it.”