Carlos Alcaraz ‘more mature’ and ‘feeling comfortable’ in front of big crowds as he notches up Madrid win

A year ago Carlos Alcaraz found himself outside the Top 100 and had zero ATP Tour singles titles to his name heading into his maiden Madrid Open campaign. Fast forward to 2022 and has four trophies to his name and feeling at home when playing in big matches.
The teenager is on a high after winning the Barcelona Open last week with the title coming not long after he won his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy, the Miami Open, while he also notched up the Rio Open in February.
He produced another accomplished display in his Madrid opener, coming from behind to see off Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 7-5 in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The art of the ‘steal’ 😏
A perfect example of Alcaraz’s ability to consistently win points from way back in the court! pic.twitter.com/3KYrAd6oVL
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 3, 2022
He had to dig deep as he found himself 1-3 down, but hit back immediately to get back on serve and then won four of the final five games – including another two breaks – to take the first set.
The Spaniard also made a poor start to the second set as he was broken in the opening game, but drew level in game four before again losing his serve as the world No 27 edged 2-3 ahead.
Alcaraz finally found his rhythm again and broke back in game 10 and, after a love game, claimed another break to wrap up the match.
“I think I played really well. This is a tough opponent. He plays really hard,” Alcaraz said post-match. “I think that the first match in every tournament is tough, but I was focussed from the beginning to the end and I’m really happy to get into the next round.
“I think I’m more mature now. One year is not too much time to get mature but I think I’m a different player, different person now. I manage the nerves better than before and I think now I’m ready to play these kinds of matches in these kind of stadiums in front of a lot of people. I’m feeling comfortable in these types [of matches].”
Latest
-
Tennis News
John McEnroe reveals how Iga Swiatek and Serena Williams are alike
Will Iga Swiatek become the sixth women to claim ten or more Grand Slams in the open era?
-
Wimbledon
Naomi Osaka considers skipping pointless Wimbledon
The former world number one says she is ‘leaning more towards not playing’.
-
French Open
French Open: Iga Swiatek extends streak to 29, Naomi Osaka bows out
World No 1 Iga Swiatek is looking forward to some sightseeing after dispatching Lesia Tsurenko in short order.
-
Live Tennis
Tennis365’s live scores and results centre: Follow the French Open here
Aaaaand it’s live! Follow the action from Roland Garros…
-
French Open
Goran Ivanisevic insists Novak Djokovic isn’t Roland Garros favourite
Goran Ivanisevic says as long as Rafael Nadal is in the French Open field there can be no other favourite.
-
French Open
French Open: Dominic Thiem feels ‘pretty far away from a win’ after exit
The former world number three, a finalist at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019, bowed out in straight sets.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz proofs French Open title credentials with dominant first-round victory
Carlos Alcaraz powers into the second round at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Alexander Zverev keeps French Open match short and sweet, but hopes to go from stable to winning titles
“I’m always somebody that likes to win, rather than be stable,” says Zverev.
-
Wimbledon
Cameron Norrie says Wimbledon will be ‘like an exhibition’ as he warns a few top players might not play
British No 1 has his say on consequences following decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon news: Former US Open champion says decision to strip major of ranking points ‘the correct one’
Sloane Stephens shares views on controversial move.