Carlos Alcaraz: ‘I did not expect to evolve as fast as I did’

ATP Tour

James Richardson
July 21, 2022

Spanish No 2 Carlos Alcaraz admitted that his rapid rise through the rankings and high-profile wins in 2022 have caught him by surprise.

Speaking after reaching the last eight at the Hamburg Open and extending his unbeaten run in ATP 500 tournaments to 12 matches, Alcaraz said that he was trying to remain grounded.

Alcaraz says that he tries to steer clear of getting caught up in what people expect from him and focuses on improving his game.

“The truth is that a little, yes,” Carlos Alcaraz said when asked about his form in 2022.

“I have had surprising results this year, I did not expect to evolve as fast as I did, but I work for it.

“As I always say, hard work pays off, although in my case it was all a bit quick and surprising. I try to keep learning, keep adding experiences and always try to give my best version in each game.

“I feel that I play for myself, for my team and my family, I don’t focus on the expectations that people may have. I just push it away.”

Alcaraz is in a strong position in the race for Turin, sitting third on the standings that determine the entrants to the season-ending event.

He is hopeful of reaching the Tour Finals for the first time.

“It would be a good goal, but right now my thoughts are not on the ranking, but on reaching the ATP Finals in Turin at the end of the season,” Alcaraz said.

“For me, the ranking isn’t the most important thing right now, although I’m fighting to continue winning games and winning tournaments, as that is what will lead me to continue climbing.”

Earlier this season, Alcaraz toppled both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on his way to claiming his second career ATP 1000 title.

Alcaraz also has tournament wins in Rio and Barcelona on clay to go along with his incredible Miami Open triumph which announced him as a force to be reckoned with in 2022.

The 19-year-old claimed a 7-6(4) 6-3 victory over Filip Krajinovic to claim a quarter-final berth in Hamburg where he is making his tournament debut as the top seed.

Carlos Alcaraz