Alcaraz Eyes US Open Glory After Transformative Team Meeting

Carlos Alcaraz is currently enjoying an impressive 11-match winning streak as he prepares for the semi-finals of the US Open. The world number two recently secured the title at the Cincinnati Open and has only suffered two losses since April 2023. One of these defeats occurred at Wimbledon, where he faced Jannik Sinner, who came back from a set down to claim victory. This marked Alcaraz’s first loss at Wimbledon in three years, prompting a crucial meeting with his team that has significantly shaped the remainder of his season.

Following that pivotal discussion, Alcaraz has shown remarkable resilience, advancing to the finals of the Cincinnati Open where he met Sinner again. In a twist of fate, Sinner had to retire from the championship match due to illness just 23 minutes in, which awarded Alcaraz the title. Impressively, Alcaraz has reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam without dropping a single set for the first time in his career.

Transformative Insights from a Key Meeting

Alcaraz’s coach, former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, shared insights into the post-Wimbledon meeting that altered Alcaraz’s approach. “Internal conversations are often important,” Ferrero stated to the ATP as Alcaraz geared up for his semi-final match against Novak Djokovic in New York. He elaborated on the discussion, highlighting their focus on Alcaraz’s feelings during the Wimbledon final and the necessary improvements identified for the American tour.

Ferrero emphasized that this conversation was both positive and enlightening, stating, “I think it was a very interesting, very positive conversation, in which he had a very clear idea of what he was thinking, as did we, and it has helped him stay highly motivated for the rest of the year.”

Alcaraz’s performance during this North American circuit has notably surpassed his results from the previous year, where he faced a devastating loss to Djokovic in the Olympic gold medal match. Following that defeat, Alcaraz experienced an early exit at the Cincinnati Open, a moment so frustrating that he famously smashed his racket. His journey at the US Open that year ended abruptly with a second-round defeat.

A Fresh Start and Strategic Breaks

This year, Alcaraz arrived in the United States with a renewed mindset, largely attributed to strategic breaks between competitions. After claiming victory at the French Open, the 22-year-old took time off in Ibiza, followed by a getaway to El Puerto de Santa Maria after Wimbledon. Ferrero remarked, “This tour is very different from last year; he’s come back much fresher.”

He underscored the significance of this downtime, saying, “That rest and vacation have been very beneficial for him after a rather stressful month and a half between Roland Garros and Wimbledon. It’s a necessary vacation, helping him reset his mind, be with his fans, and maintain a high mental level to continue competing at the highest level.”

As Alcaraz gears up to face Djokovic, the tennis world is keenly watching to see if the young Spaniard can capitalize on his recent successes and deliver a performance worthy of his burgeoning reputation.