There really is no rest for the wicked when it comes to the top tennis stars, but Carlos Alcaraz is living the dream.
Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open after Jannik Sinner retired hurt in the first set last night and now he has perfect preparation time for the US Open.
This year’s Flushing Meadows event is somewhat chaotic, with Alcaraz set to take part in the new mixed doubles tournament, with his first match coming up today!
Alcaraz partners with Emma Raducanu as they face Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula in a match that looks extremely intriguing.
Alcaraz believes Sinner will be just fine as he bids to retain his US Open crown but this latest victory does hand the Spaniard a psychological advantage going into the clash.
Carlos Alcaraz shares when he will arrive at the US Open
There was no time to waste for the players taking part in the mixed doubles event, and Alcaraz endured a quick turnaround to make it over to New York in time to prepare for tonight’s match.
Alcaraz is going to be gunning for the number one spot in the ATP rankings at the US Open and after an early exit last year, he will have some fire in his belly.
After beating Sinner who retired at 0-5 in the first set, Alcaraz was asked when he’d be heading from Cincinnati to New York.
He said in his press conference: “I have not had too much time to do whatever I want here tonight in Cincinnati, so I am leaving tonight from here. I am getting into New York tonight, just to try and get as much sleep as I can to be ready for tomorrow.
“I will try to enjoy this last dinner in Cincinnati with my team and take a really good burger here!
“I am just excited and have my mind on tomorrow’s match.”
What Alcaraz thinks will be a bit different about the US Open
The final Grand Slam of the year is usually the hardest for the players as it comes on the back of a number of tournaments.
Although Alcaraz did skip some of the Canadian swing this year, he will still be thankful that the final against Sinner wasn’t as fatigue-inducing as some of the other matches the pair have played.
When asked about his feelings regarding the forthcoming US Open, Alcaraz was in good form but did suggest something might be different this time around.
He continued: “It’s kind of different because I have been playing much, much more matches before every Grand Slam. I am just going to treat it or approach the US Open in a different way, because I am feeling different right now.
“I am feeling a lot of confidence playing in a different surface, so let’s see. New York is a place that I love playing. It is where I got my first Grand Slam, which I just appreciate the love and the support that I receive there every year that I go.
“Last year it was a bit disappointing, the level that I played there, so this year I just really want to show my really good tennis and my best tennis. Try to go as far as I can and enjoy it as much as I can and we will see how it’s going to be in New York.
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