Carlos Alcaraz says getting in the right mindset is key to taking on the world’s best players following his latest win at the ATP Finals.
The world No.3 beat Andrey Rublev in straight sets to revive his chances of progressing out of the knockout stages in Turin. He has now won 12 out of 16 matches played against top 10 players since the start of January. During this period, Jannik Sinner is the only person on the ATP Tour to have achieved more wins (14) against this type of opposition. Alcaraz has beaten his Italian opponent three times this season.
“Obviously playing against the top players, you think to yourself that you have to play your best tennis. If not, you are going to lose against them,” Alcaraz told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.
“Before matches against top players, you realize what kind of game, what kind of shots you are going to play or you’re going to hit. I think that’s it.”
Despite being only 21, Alcaraz has already beaten a top 10 player 35 times so far in his career. This is 12 more than Ruud who is four years older than him. Overall, he has won more than 200 Tour-level matches.
“In tennis, the mental game is really important, the way you talk to yourself before the matches,” he continued.
“When I’m going to play against a top player, I repeat to myself that I’m better, I’m going to play my best, my 100% just to beat them.”
Despite struggling with illness, Alcaraz’s ATP Finals chances are still alive with one group match left to play. He is seeking to become the first person from Spain to win the tournament since Alex Corretja in 1998.
He is currently playing while wearing a pink fuchsia nasal strip which he has opted to do due to his illness. The strip is designed to make it easier for air to flow in and out.
“It is something that I’m going to wear more often, I don’t know,” Alcaraz commented.
“Right now in the situation that it helps a lot. I’m pretty sure that in the next match, I’m going to wear it.
“Tomorrow’s practice I’m going to wear it, for sure. I felt better. I could recover better between points.”
Alcaraz will next play Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals.
