Alcaraz explains causes he skipped US Open observe after elevating harm fears
A two-time Major winner, the US Open isn’t the primary or final event the place Alcaraz has opted to not practice fully on his days in between matches. The 20-year-old used the tactic 12 months in the past, in addition to at this yr’s French Open and Wimbledon.
At the latter occasion, the Spaniard additionally selected to not observe on the day earlier than the ultimate. And he nonetheless managed to defeat Novak Djokovic in 5 units, changing into the primary man in 10 years to beat the Serb on Centre Court. Alcaraz has since reused the tactic in New York, as he didn’t hit the day earlier than his match towards Arnaldi or earlier than his quarter-final towards Alexander Zverev.
“There are days when I dedicate my time to fitness and not tennis,” the reigning US Open champion defined, per the ATP. “There are a lot of days when I prefer to work on load training and fitness, rather than practise tennis.”
Alcaraz nonetheless practised on the times forward of his first, second and third-round matches in Flushing Meadows. But at this yr’s French Open, he didn’t step onto a tennis courtroom on any of his days off. At the time, he mentioned: “I haven’t been training on the days I haven’t played and it’s worked well.
“I’m doing things very well and I feel good. Mentally, I’m fresh. Why change things if it’s working?” At final yr’s US Open, Alcaraz arguably didn’t want any additional time on the courtroom after a few of his thrilling matches.
The world No 1 wanted 5 hours and quarter-hour to defeat Jannik Sinner within the quarter-final because the match completed at 2.50am, changing into the newest in US Open historical past. He wanted one other 4 hours to beat Frances Tiafoe within the semi-final.
Alcaraz’s path has to this point been extra easy this yr, dropping only one set in his first 4 matches. But issues are set to get harder as he takes on Zverev, who leads their head-to-head 3-2 and received their solely Grand Slam match finally yr’s French Open.
If the Spaniard could make it by to the semi-final, he’ll face both Daniil Medvedev or Andrey Rublev. And if he will get to the ultimate, two wildly totally different opponents await. In the underside half of the draw, both 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic or 20-year-old Ben Shelton will attain the championship match. It stays to be seen whether or not Alcaraz skips coaching once more if he continues to progress in New York.