Carlos Alcaraz does what he needs to do in French Open win – but questions remain

Oli Dickson Jefford
Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open
Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open

Carlos Alcaraz is not usually the understated type.

With a booming forehand, rapid movement, exuberant celebrations, and a huge personality, the Spaniard is no stranger to attracting attention and is certainly not afraid of the limelight.

That has made his entrance into this year’s French Open feel a little quiet, in comparison to what we usually expect from the 21-year-old, who already has US Open and Wimbledon titles to his name.

Ravaged by injury throughout this clay court season – only playing on home soil in Madrid – Alcaraz is still a title favourite but entered Roland Garros more under the radar than other Slams previously.

There has, of course, been discussion about his fitness, but the same can be said regarding Jannik Sinner, while Novak Djokovic’s questionable form, and the pedigree of those hunting a maiden major, have been talked about just as much.

Even the world No 3’s entrance into Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday was lowkey, a simultaneously loud-yet-small cheer welcoming the 2023 semi-finalist onto court, the stadium half-empty after a lengthy match involving Naomi Osaka previously.

With perhaps the most disrupted build-up he’s faced entering a Grand Slam tournament in his young career, his opening-round match against JJ Wolf always had to be more about the performance, and less about the show.

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And, if that was his target, he certainly delivered.

A 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 victory is certainly emphatic on paper, and there is no doubt that Alcaraz bossed this match, but it was his calmness and composure that most impressed.

This was the kind of performance he needed, a short, straightforward match that helps him ease into a tournament requiring him to win seven best-of-five-set matches – after playing just four matches over the past month and a half.

Admittedly the draw Gods were on his side regarding Wolf, with the American into the draw as a lucky loser, and not exactly known for his clay prowess.

But you can only beat who is put in front of you, and Alcaraz did that – and did it well.

It was not a flawless performance – he was broken in the very opening game, and again in the third set – but it was as good as you could realistically expect.

The former world No 1 was business-like throughout, demonstrating a serenity well beyond his years in a near-perfect match for him.

A chance to work into the draw is exactly what he needs, particularly considering his recent injury.

Alcaraz does not need to repeatedly fire 100km+ forehands in round one of a Slam and may not be able to do so at this stage, but such a match will allow him to warm his body up, to shake off the rust that surely will be there.

More American players could await later on in the draw for him, with a projected round three against Sebastian Korda, and a projected round four against 15th seed Ben Shelton.

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Based on Sunday’s level, you would expect him to continue improving and win both matches.
But, bigger tests await, and questions still linger.

No one outside of his inner circle knows exactly how serious the arm injury is, and what strain it could come under later in the tournament.

And we don’t know how ready he will be if he ends up playing a huge name later in the tournament.

Alcaraz has a great record against Stefanos Tsitsipas, but will he be ready if he faces the in-form ninth seed in the quarter-final? How ready might he be for a semi-final against Sinner or a final against Djokovic?

All those questions remain hypothetical for now – it would take a brave man to pick a winner this year with any confidence.

But for now, it’s job done for Alcaraz. And he will likely be very happy with his day’s work.

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