Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, is gearing up for his debut at the ATP 500 Rotterdam Open. However, his preparations have been hampered by a recent illness. Alcaraz revealed that he had been struggling with a cold prior to his arrival in Rotterdam, stating, “I was struggling a bit at home.”
Despite this setback, Alcaraz remains optimistic about his performance in the tournament. He is set to face Dutch wild card Botic van de Zandschulp in his opening match. Reflecting on his opponent, Alcaraz acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that van de Zandschulp had previously defeated him at the US Open and also secured a victory against Rafael Nadal in his last professional match in Málaga.
In addition to his health challenges, Alcaraz will be competing without his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is absent for this tournament. In Ferrero’s stead, Samuel López will be guiding Alcaraz through the event.
Reflecting on his recent quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, Alcaraz defended his performance, emphasizing that he gave his all during the match. He stated, “I left everything on court.”
Alcaraz also acknowledged a critical moment in the match, admitting that he made a “big mistake” by easing off when he noticed Djokovic struggling with an injury, which allowed the Serbian to regain momentum.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz remains focused on his goals and is determined to perform well in Rotterdam. He expressed his desire to enjoy the tournament and give his best effort, stating, “I want to enjoy and give my best here in Rotterdam.”
As he continues to navigate the challenges of professional tennis, Alcaraz also took a moment to praise his contemporary, Jannik Sinner. He lauded Sinner’s recent performances, describing them as “a crazy thing” and acknowledging that the Italian is currently the best player in the world based on recent results.
Despite the recent setbacks, including his illness and the absence of his coach, Alcaraz remains a formidable competitor. His resilience and determination will undoubtedly be on display as he embarks on his Rotterdam Open campaign.
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