Carlos Alcaraz labelled ‘by far the most explosive guy on tour’ ahead of ATP Finals debut

Ewan West 12 Nov 2023 2:58 PM

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates a thrilling point

Alex Corretja has described Carlos Alcaraz as “by far the most explosive guy on the circuit” ahead of his Spanish compatriot’s ATP Finals debut in Turin.

The former world No 2 also believes Alcaraz “definitely fell apart a little bit mentally” following his semi-final defeat to Daniil Medvedev at the US Open.

Alcaraz is making his first appearance at the ATP Finals at the 2023 edition of the event in Turin, where play began today. The Spaniard qualified for the 2022 Finals, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The 20-year-old star will face Alexander Zverev in his opening match at the indoor hard-court showpiece on Monday, with Medvedev and Andrey Rublev also in the Red Group.

The world No 2 has won six titles during an excellent 2023 season, but has endured a more difficult period following his stunning Wimbledon victory – which was the last tournament he won.

Since then, the 20-year-old has reached one final in his next six events and lost in straight sets to Roman Safiullin in his opening match at last week’s Paris Masters. He suffered a tough four-set defeat to Medvedev in the last four of the 2023 US Open in September.

Speaking to Eurosport, two-time Roland Garros runner-up Corretja lauded the season Alcaraz has had and expressed that he is not worried about his countryman.

“Carlitos has had an incredible season. He gave it his all during the clay court season, and then finished it off incredibly well at Wimbledon, also winning at Queen’s. I think that was the high point for him,” said the Spaniard.

“He still had the feeling, the motivation, the wind of having won Wimbledon on his back going to the United States. I think that [the] Cincinnati final against Djokovic, in which he gave everything and ended up losing, hurt him a little in the sense that he tried his hardest and didn’t get the reward.

“And then in the US Open semi-finals, he was a little surprised by the way Daniil played against him. And from there, I think he definitely fell apart a little bit mentally. Physically… I didn’t see him enjoying himself much on the court. But I think now he’s back home and I know he’s been training very well.

“He is happy again and needed this time to recover a little. I think the summer was too demanding for him and it was difficult for him to deal with all the expectations and all the motivation for him to maybe finish the number he knows it was a high expectation, but nothing is wrong with Carlitos.

“Carlitos is great. He may have a good Masters (ATP Finals), although probably the surface and conditions are a little more suited to the other players, but Carlitos, we always have to count on him because when he is ready, he is by far the most explosive guy on the circuit.”

Corretja won the ATP Finals in 1998, defeating fellow Spaniard Carlos Moya in a five-set final.