Carlos Alcaraz unsurprised by his meteoric rise – ‘I know what I’m capable of’

Shahida Jacobs 08 Jul 2023 7:58 PM

Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz was made to work for his third-round win at Wimbledon by Nicolas Jarry, but it gave him another confidence boost for the remainder of the tournament.

The top seed required almost four hours to get past a player who had not played at Wimbledon for four years, winning 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5 to set up a clash against either Matteo Berrettini or Alexander Zverev.

With the victory Alcaraz made it back-to-back fourth round appearances at the grass-court Grand Slam, but it is just another feather in the 20-year-old’s cap as he has already won a major – the 2022 US Open – and topped the ATP Rankings.

After the match the Spaniard – who became the youngest world No 1 at the age of 19 last year – was asked if was surprised to be the face of Wimbledon and the world No 1 so early in his career.

“I’m not surprised honestly ’cause I know my skills. I know what I’m capable of. Is something that I work really hard to be in that position, to be what I am right now,” he replied.

“Honestly, I’m not surprised at all.”

Look at that @carlosalcaraz roar 🗣#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/COZIPeA9Eb

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2023

Jarry certainly had his moments to take the match to a fifth set as he found himself 2-4 up in the fourth before Alcaraz broke back after which he raced over the finish line.

“I’m really happy, but exhausted at the same time,” the Spaniard said. “No, I’m really happy to get through that really tough match. Really happy to be able to play my second first round here in Wimbledon. Really excited to know my opponent. Really excited to play the next round.”

He added: “This match made me a lot of confidence honestly. Every match that I win on Centre Court is better for me to get into this court, this atmosphere.

“As I said, last year it was really tough for me to play first match in the Centre Court. Every match that I didn’t play on that court, I feel, as I said, that I belong to that court.

“I see the level of Jarry, the level today, he for sure going to be in the top 10. If I have to bet, I bet at the end of the year he’s going to break the top 10 or he’s going to be really, really close if he’s still playing at that level.

“I feel really comfortable on that court. I feel with a lot of confidence right now.”