Carlos Alcaraz has performed six matches in eight days, and all the tennis appears to be catching up with him.
Carlos Alcaraz had his wrist bandaged up by the physio in the direction of the top of set one (Picture: Tennis TV)
Carlos Alcaraz made his Barcelona Open debut on Tuesday, simply 48 hours after shedding within the Monte Carlo Masters last. It was a good turnaround for the world No. 2, who’s planning to play a full clay schedule, and all the tennis appeared to take a toll as Alcaraz referred to as the physio throughout the finish of the primary set of his match in opposition to Otto Virtanen.
The Spaniard had his wrist massaged after which bandaged up by the physio earlier than occurring to say a 6-4 6-2 victory. However there’s nonetheless lots of tennis to be performed for Alcaraz, who additionally intends to compete within the Madrid Open and Italian Open earlier than Roland Garros, and the 22-year-old has now given an replace on his wrist.
“These are minor discomforts which have surfaced given the restricted restoration time I’ve had, on account of some uncommon actions. I used to be extra relaxed within the second set,” Alcaraz instructed Spanish media after reaching the second spherical.
“Juanjo, my physiotherapist, will see me, however these are discomforts I’ve had earlier than, and so they did not get any worse. My objective is to be in the absolute best situation for Thursday’s match.”
Whereas Alcaraz was receiving a medical timeout at 5-4 within the first set on Tuesday, commentators speculated whether or not he was pushing himself so he might compete on house soil in Spain.
“You get the sense that, if this occasion wasn’t in Spain, with Madrid and Rome developing, would he play right here this week? Onerous to know. Solely he can reply that, proper. However it’s clearly a giant one for him, right here in Barcelona with the historical past of all of the gamers which have received right here,” Nick Lester stated because the physio massaged Alcaraz’s wrist.
“It’s a kind of issues we received’t know the reply to. After all, he’s getting substantial look payment right here as effectively, we all know that. That’s the way in which it’s.”
Carlos Alcaraz nonetheless got here by to win his opening match on the Barcelona Open (Picture: Getty)
Barry Cowan replied: “I believe it’s a good level, Nick. I actually do. And that’s essential for anybody who doesn’t know that. You don’t obtain an look payment for the Masters, however you do for the 500s and the 250s.”
Lester continued: “And it’s important to play 4 500s. Should you’re within the prime 30 on the finish of the 12 months, it’s important to play 4 500s, one after the US Open, to contribute in the direction of your rating. That’s how your rating works.” And Cowan added: “So in case you’re these 500s, in case you’re Alcaraz, that is the proper one to play.”
Forward of the match, the two-time former champion stated he would take issues daily and see how his physique felt throughout the lengthy European clay swing. “I will take it in the future at a time, listening to my physique and my workforce,” Alcaraz defined. “From there, I will make the absolute best choice. For now, we’re excited and desirous to do every part we will to endure all the clay court docket season.”
Alcaraz faces a tricky take a look at on Thursday as he takes on Tomas Machac for a spot within the quarter-finals. Czech star Machac took a set off Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo final week, and is the one man to have received a set in opposition to Sinner within the final 4 Masters 1000 tournaments. The world No. 47 additionally received his final match in opposition to Alcaraz on the 2024 Shanghai Masters.
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