No quantum leap in physicality from Carlos Alcaraz this off-season

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Carlos Alcaraz in action

Carlos Alcaraz made a giant leap in physicality between the 2021 and 2022 seasons but his fitness coach isn’t expecting the same this year.

Alcaraz enjoyed a breakout season which ended with him ranked No 1 off the back of a maiden Grand Slam win at the US Open.

Playing a physically dynamic game, Alcaraz has benefitted from a natural filling out but Alcaraz’s recovery, fitness coach Alberto Lledo is looking for different results this term.

“The last tests were done on Thursday and everything is going well,” Lledo told Marca.

“Until mid-December we will do strength, cardiovascular, injury prevention work with eccentric exercises and then strength and power. After the Abu Dhabi exhibition, the leading role will be tennis and explosiveness.”

Lledo put last season’s dramatic changes down to physical maturing and says that we cannot expect the same kinds of changes.

“The physical change will not be like a year and a half ago when he went from boy to man,” he said.

Alcaraz doesn’t have many distractions and appears to be a fastidious adherent to best practices in terms of training and nutrition.

“He likes to know his percentage of fat and muscle mass,” Lledo said.

Alcaraz is expecting a difficult season after his success in 2022 painted a target on his back.

“The season is going to be difficult because I am going to start as the favourite and there is going to be a lot of pressure on me.

“But I try to keep the good part and see that all this does not go to my head. In the end, beating your idols is an incredible achievement.

“I try to take it normally and never forget that whatever happens in the future, I have to enjoy tennis and play at my level.”

Despite suffering a season-ending injury, Alcaraz is hopeful of starting his 2023 season at Adelaide International 1.

In 2022, Alcaraz came into the Australian Open cold and reached the Round of 32 before losing a five-setter to Matteo Berrettini.

His next tournament brought the first of five titles in the 2022 season as he won in Rio.

Alcaraz is among the favourites for the Australian Open which gets underway on 16 January 2023.

He is almost certain to be the top seed for the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne.

Alcaraz is out to back up the results he has achieved in 2022 and prove he belongs among the game’s elite.

Carlos Alcaraz

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