Carlos Alcaraz is loving life at the China Open where he is searching for his fourth title of the year.
The Spaniard chose to commence his Asian swing in Beijing following a successful Laver Cup during which he won eight of Team Europe’s 13 points.
Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals at the 2023 China Open, where he lost to friend and great rival Jannik Sinner, who went on to win the title.
Back in the Chinese capital a year later, the 21-year-old is aiming to win his first championship since defeating Novak Djokovic to retain the Wimbledon crown in July.
What does Carlos Alcaraz like about the Chinese Open?
Due to the WTA Tour edition of the China Open now being a two-week event, the facilities at Beijing’s National Tennis Center have been upgraded to accommodate the larger group of players.
The venue is home to 34 courts, including four indoor courts and three clay courts. Facilities such as the gym and break area have also been improved.
Aryna Sabalenka expressed her happiness with the new China Open facilities before the tournament, and now Alcaraz has done the same.
Furthermore, the four-time Grand Slam champion spoke of the exception he has received from the fans in China, who are very passionate about tennis.
“This tournament, for me it’s really good. We have a lot of facilities,” Alcaraz said after his first match. “The gym is pretty good, the locker rooms, the areas, the player lounge. Everything is pretty good for the players.
“The fans, the people here are so kind. They are always trying, finding ways to help us, make us feel as comfortable as they can.”
Carlos Alcaraz defeats fellow 21-year-old to advance at the China Open
Alcaraz was handed a difficult draw at the China Open as he began his campaign against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
On one of the rare occasions he played someone younger than him, Alcaraz was able to repel the advances of Perricard enough to claim a 6-4, 6-4 win.
“I’m really happy with the level that I played today,” Alcaraz said. “It wasn’t an easy match. Difficult to get the rhythm from the baseline.
“I think I did what I had to do: put some returns in, put some pressure on his service game, play good points when I had the chance from the baseline,” Alcaraz said. “I was able to return a lot of serves, but just had one break point.
“Coming from love-40, I know that every return game for me is really tough. For me, saving three break points and being able to close the first set, it was really important for me.”
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