Carlos Alcaraz has expressed delight at making it to the second week of the 2024 Australian Open for the primary time in his profession.
Alcaraz pulled out of the Melbourne Main in 2023 as he had not recovered from the stomach damage he picked up on the Paris Masters. This 12 months, he has barely put a foot improper on the match.
The Spaniard started his marketing campaign with a snug straight-sets win in opposition to Richard Gasquet and adopted it with a four-set defeat of Lorenzo Sonego. Within the third spherical, Alcaraz confronted Juncheng Shang and received the primary units earlier than the 18-year-old retired resulting from damage.
In his on-court interview after the competition, Alcaraz said his pleasure at competing in Melbourne this 12 months after being compelled to overlook the occasion in 2023.
“Yeah, completely [feels good to be in the second week of the Australian Open]. I missed this one final 12 months. I used to be watching the matches from residence, from the sofa, wishing to play within the second week right here,” he mentioned.
Having bettered his finest file Down Below — a third-round end in 2022 — Alcaraz is hoping to maintain enjoying properly and go deeper into the match.
“That is the primary time that I moved to the second week right here in Australia. It feels particular. I watched this match yearly. Coming to the match this 12 months pondering of bettering the consequence that I did in 2022 and I did it. Now it is time to preserve going, to play higher and higher, and hopefully nonetheless shifting rounds,” he added.
Carlos Alcaraz: “I am glad lastly I performed in opposition to a youthful participant”
Carlos Alcaraz’s conflict with Juncheng Shang was the primary time the World No. 2 has confronted somebody youthful than him on the ATP tour.
Shang has impressed on the Australian Open. He beat American Mackenzie McDonald in 5 units within the opening spherical earlier than preventing from a set right down to beat Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal.
Alcaraz wished Shang a speedy restoration and mentioned that he was pleased to lastly play somebody youthful than him, even when the match didn’t conclude as they’d have hoped.
“This isn’t the best way that anyone desires to maneuver on. To begin with, I wish to want him a speedy restoration. He is a tremendous participant. He began right here [at the Australian Open] unbelievably, enjoying nice video games and I used to be trying ahead to enjoying this match,” he mentioned.
“Tennis is rising and extra younger gamers are arising. So I feel it is nice for tennis and the individuals as properly, watching younger gamers enjoying this stage. So I am glad lastly I performed in opposition to a youthful participant,” the Spaniard added.
With a spot within the quarterfinals on the road, Alcaraz will subsequent face Miomir Kecmanovic.