Carlos Alcaraz has dismissed an injury scare he suffered in practice as the Spaniard bids for a second US Open title.
Alcaraz heads into the US Open having recently lost the Olympic final which was followed by a poor defeat to Gael Monfils in Cincinnati.
It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Alcaraz and the world number three explained losing the Olympic final to Novak Djokovic was a difficult moment for him, “Well, this is one of the most important final of my career, of my life. I know that the Olympic Game is every four years, so I don’t know if I’m gonna have another chance to win the gold,” Alcaraz said in his pre tournament press conference.
“But it was a difficult moment to deal for me, you know, losing the gold medal in a really close match that I had opportunities. But, you know, in front of me, I had a really good player that he was fighting for the same thing as me, and he deserve it.
“So days after the Olympics was, okay, I realize that I won the silver medal, it was a great achievement for me that I have to be proud of. You know, I try to keep going, try to learn about this match.
“Just the next finals or the next important matches of my career I gonna deal in a different way or a better way than I did in Olympics.”
Although the Olympics was disappointment for Alcaraz, the Spaniard now has the opportunity to win a third consecutive Grand Slam title in New York after winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
The Spaniard’s preparation has been far from ideal though as he has had only one match on US hard courts heading into the last Grand Slam of the season.
Alcaraz has dismissed the fact that it matters as he pointed to his wins in Paris and London, “Well, it doesn’t matter for me,” Alcaraz claimed ahead of his fourth appearance in New York.
“Obviously I have loved to have more matches on my belt on hard court before the US Open. But, I mean, it doesn’t affect me at all. If I look back a little bit, you know, for example, facing the Roland Garros, I hadn’t too much matches on clay, and it was a pretty good result. And then in Wimbledon, same thing, you know.
“So I don’t want to think that it’s going to be the same, you know, than the previous two Grand Slams, but I’m not worried about not having too many matches on hard court.”
Concluding his press conference Alcaraz commented on an injury scare he suffered during his practice with Francisco Cerundolo.
Alcaraz rolls his ankle in practice.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 24, 2024
Three days before his start at the US Open.
Terrible to see. pic.twitter.com/29Nt9xfsLM
The four-time Grand Slam champion appeared to roll his ankle but Alcaraz has claimed that everything should be fine for his opening round match, “Well, I think it is okay. You know, I just stop my practice just for precaution. I didn’t feel comfortable enough to keep practicing just in case if everything is going to be worse,” Alcaraz stated.
“I mean, I wasn’t worried at all for my US Open participation. Obviously I was angry because I don’t want to stop the practice, just to respect Cerundolo, as well. I don’t want to stop any practice. I want to practice, I want to get better, I want to get ready for the tournament.
“But honestly with the ankle, I wasn’t worried about that. So I’m sure that, you know, tomorrow or in two days I’m going to be my at 100%, for sure. It’s about time.”
Alcaraz will begin his campaign against Australian qualifier Li Tu.
