‘If people want to beat me, they’re going to have to suffer’, warns Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has warned his rivals they are “going to have to suffer” if they want to beat him at the 2023 US Open after progressing to the quarter-finals.
The world No 1 also declared he feels he has executed his aggressive game plan “incredibly well” in his matches so far and has not “doubted it at any moment.”
Alcaraz has dropped just one set en route to reaching the last eight at Flushing Meadows – where he is the defending champion having beaten Casper Ruud in the 2022 final.
The 20-year-old was leading by a set and a break when his first-round opponent Dominik Koepfer was forced to retire. In the second round, he saw off South African Lloyd Harris in straight sets.
The Spaniard then overcame world No 28 Dan Evans in four sets in the third round, before an impressive three-set last-16 win over Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi on Monday.
In an interview with Eurosport, Alcaraz was asked by former world No 2 Alex Corretja if his two Grand Slam titles help him feel “calmer” when approaching matches in majors.
“Yes, the truth is yes. I’ve already experienced important situations in Grand Slams. Even though I’m only 20 years old I feel a little bit experienced in these types of situations, which means there are many moments which I take with much more calmness than maybe before,” said the Spaniard.
“And I can play calmer knowing that if people want to beat me, they’re going to have to suffer, run a lot, and play a very, very high level for a long time.
“Physically I feel good, mentally quite good and tennis-wise I think I am playing at a high level, so in these situations I feel calmer.
“What we’re trying to do in each match, I think I’ve done that incredibly well. Playing aggressively, trying to go up to the net a lot of times, keeping the rest of my game tight – basically my game style.
“I think I haven’t doubted it at any moment, I’ve been faithful to my style in every moment of matches.”
Corretja spoke to Tennis365.com about Alcaraz back in June, as he gave his verdict on what makes the Spanish star such a force in the game.
“Carlos is special. He is not good, he is special,” Corretja said.
“When you are special, you are capable of doing things the others can’t. The way he moves is unbelievable.
“The way he hits the ball is unbelievable. His forehand is just huge, it’s out of this world and the happiness he brings to the game is very unique and difficult for the opponent.
“When you play, sometimes conditions are a little bit chilly, or it is too hot or too windy, but it seems with him, he accepts the situation.
“You need to accept what you have, what you get and what you feel. As soon as you accept that… I’m not sure if life is easier, but more acceptable.
“Novak has said this about accepting disappointment. That is what you have to do on the court. Not everything will go for you in a match and you know that. You accept it and make the best of what you have on the day.”
Alcaraz will lose the world No 1 ranking to 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic following the conclusion of the US Open.
The Spaniard could face the 36-year-old Serbian in the final in New York after the pair split epic recent encounters in the finals of Wimbledon and Cincinnati.
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz issues injury update after US Open scare as Novak Djokovic showdown edges closer
