Carlos Alcaraz would like to play on the biggest court at the Australian Open but is happy to sacrifice this to avoid a night session.
The world No.3 has begun his campaign in Melbourne Park this year by playing twice on the Margaret Court Area where he is yet to drop a set. In his latest match on Wednesday, the Spaniard stormed to a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4, win over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka. He has now won 26 Grand Slam hardcourt matches before his 22nd birthday which is the fifth-highest tally in the Open Era among male players. He could rise to joint first place if he lifts the title.
“I like playing on the Margaret Court Arena,” said Alcaraz. “I think it’s a really beautiful court. Obviously, I want to play on Rod Laver, but we have to see the schedule, as well.”
“I said many times, I don’t like to play night sessions. I prefer to play day sessions. After the match, I can recover much better. I can go to sleep at a good time. It’s not too late for me.
“If I have to play on Margaret Court, which is a really beautiful and great court, I’m going to do it.”
Against Nishioka, Alcaraz was particularly clinical behind his serve. Dopping just four points behind his first serve and seven points behind his second. He produced a total of 14 aces with his fastest serve clocking in 210kmh. He also didn’t face a single break point in the match.
“I was really focused on the serve in the practice,” Alcaraz explained.
“I spent more time serving yesterday. I talked with Juan Carlos (his coach) about what I have to do today in the serve, what I did wrong and what I did great from the first match serving.
“I felt more comfortable. I think the serve is about confidence and feelings. Today I felt great. The throw of the ball was great today, which helps a lot in the serve today.”
Despite his young age, Alcaraz already has a shot of claiming a career Grand Slam in Melbourne after winning the other three major events at some point over the past three years. He is currently the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion.
Although he isn’t the only youngster to impress in this year’s tournament. On Tuesday Brazil’s Joao Fonseca illustrated his potential with a straight-sets win over Andrey Rublev on his main draw debut. A performance hailed by Alcaraz who watched parts of that match.
“What can I say about it? Just incredible. I mean, the way he played his first Grand Slam match against his first top-10 player, it’s unbelievable,” he said of Fonseca.
“The way he approached the match, the way he handled everything, the nerves, the match in general, it’s been fantastic.
“He’s going to be there,” he added of the 112th-ranked Fonseca making it big.
“It’s just the beginning of the year, just one win in a Grand Slam, but he’s going to be there.
“We’re going to put Joao Fonseca’s name on the list of the best players in the world really soon.”
Alcaraz will play Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the third round.
