“I wouldn’t want to be in front” | Relief

It was in January 2022 at the Australian Open when Carlos Alcaraz He started surprising the world with his impressive physique. At 18 years old and still not in the top 30, the Murcian worked hard in the pre-season, gaining several kilograms of muscle mass, and He showed up in Melbourne wearing a red sleeveless T-shirt that showed off his huge biceps.

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It was his heyday as a tennis player: he won five titles, including the US Open, and became the youngest number one in history. And all thanks to an amazing hand, an iron mind and a right hand that is a real cannon.. His drive a carInspired, he bursts out of the racket with such strength and precision that he does not know his opponents.

“He has the best right hand of all time,” he said in January of this year. Mats Wilander, Former number one and champion of seven Grand Slam tournaments. “He has a lot of versatility: he can play inside as well as inside, and the drop shots work for him in every way. This can also have the effect of Rafa Nadal. You better stay away from his right seat or you’re going to have a very long day.“.

Alcaraz stretches the ball like few others. He’s also the type of player who doesn’t need the ball to come at him much: Carlitos can take advantage of his speed, but with his power he can go from zero to a hundred.. Here’s how Daniil Medvedev, tired of how soft the balls are in Shanghai, explained it this Sunday: “These balls appeal to players who can generate power from dead balls. There are players who have this ability and there are players who don’t. Two of the best players in the world at the moment who would also be the best on other balls, I have no doubt that they are the only ones who can generate incredible power. This is Yannick and Carlos.“.

Hit harder, make more winners

Alcaraz found this Sunday in Shanghai with an opponent who at times beat him harder than himself. It is logical that the Murcian was surprised by the power of the Chinese Yibing Wu. And in an interview he gave to ATP media after he won 7-6 (7-5) 6-3, he said he had been trying to hit the ball harder for a couple of weeks.

“I need to hit harder from the baseline. Today he hit me harder. In the last two weeks I’m trying to get to the bracket as quickly as possible, and the more winners the better.. Today I couldn’t because he was there all the time and hit harder,” explained the second number in the ATP rankings. “I couldn’t find a position to go to the net to receive the ball. winners. That’s impressive of them. As for me, I will try to play better in the next round and feel more comfortable on the court.”

Alcaraz’s response and “I need to hit harder” This left the interviewer speechless. “If you’re saying you’re going to hit him harder, I wouldn’t want to end up on the other side of the net.”– the journalist told him. “I try,” Alcaraz replied with an ear-to-ear smile.

The Murcian, last week’s champion in Beijing, will rest this Monday. He will return to the court on Tuesday for a spot in the quarterfinals. His opponent will leave the fight between the Frenchman Gael Monfils and Hugo Humbert..