In an exclusive interview with TENNIS.com, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, Carlos Alcaraz, opened up about his deep affection for hard courts, his thoughts on being a role model, and the widespread popularity of his Babolat racquet. The Spanish sensation is gearing up for the upcoming US Open, where he finds himself as the No. 3 seed despite holding two consecutive Grand Slam titles under his belt.
The road ahead for Alcaraz at Flushing Meadows won’t be easy, as he faces stiff competition from the likes of No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner and No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic, who looms large on the opposite side of the draw. However, the 21-year-old remains unfazed, firmly believing that the hard courts of New York City bring out the best in his game.
“I love playing on hard courts. Playing here in New York suits very well to my game, my personality,” Alcaraz expressed confidently. “The people here are passionate about tennis, they have a lot of energy that they bring to the matches, to the court, and I love it. So probably here is where I play some of my best tennis.”
If Alcaraz manages to clinch the US Open title once again, he will join an elite group of tennis greats as just the seventh man to win three Grand Slams in a single calendar season. Drawing inspiration from his idol, Rafael Nadal, who achieved this feat in 2010 by triumphing at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, Alcaraz is driven to follow in his hero’s footsteps.
With Nadal now taking a step back from the spotlight, Alcaraz finds himself at the forefront of Spanish tennis, carrying on the rich legacy left by his compatriot. Reflecting on his admiration for Nadal, Alcaraz reminisced, “I love watching him practice. The intensity that brings to the practice, the way he hits every ball, it is insane.”
Having grown up idolizing the Spanish legend, Alcaraz shared a nostalgic moment from his youth, “The first picture I took with him I was 11 or 12 years old in the tournament in Madrid. I played him for the first time there in 2021. I was so, so scared. He destroyed me, but it was a good time.”
Despite those early setbacks, Alcaraz quickly rose through the ranks, securing a memorable victory over Nadal in Madrid the following year. In the blink of an eye, he transitioned from a promising young talent to a global superstar, setting new standards in the world of men’s tennis. Embracing his newfound role, Alcaraz humbly admitted, “It’s a role I’m still figuring out.”
As the US Open approaches, all eyes will be on Alcaraz to see if he can continue his remarkable success on the hard courts of New York City. With his undeniable talent, unwavering determination, and fearless spirit, Carlos Alcaraz is poised to leave a lasting mark on the sport of tennis.
