After his meteoric rise this season on the ATP Tour Carlos Alcaraz believes anything is within his reach, including this year’s Wimbledon title.
The 19-year-old has set a series of new milestones already in 2022, including becoming the youngest player to win an ATP 500 title and the youngest to win the Miami Masters. In Madrid he scored back-to-back wins over Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic en route to the title. He is one of only two players to have won four titles this season along with his idol Nadal.
Alcaraz will be hoping to continue his run of good form on the grass after suffering a minor blip. He was forced to withdraw from Queen’s this week due to a ‘slight elbow issue’ but has resumed training. It is understood that he will take part in an exhibition match against French Open finalist Casper Ruud this weekend at the Hurlingham Club.
During a recent promotional event marking his appointment as ambassador of the El Pozo sausage company, Alcaraz was questioned about his chances at Wimbledon. In his view, winning the title is a possibility.
“Of course I see it possible. In the end, it’s the dream I’m looking for. It’s what I work for every day,” news agency EFE quoted Alcaraz as saying.
“Everyone remembers the 2008 final between (Rafa) Nadal and (Roger) Federer, considered one of the best matches in history and it was spectacular,” he added.
“Rafa has won historic matches several times… at Wimbledon, and I say to myself: ‘I wish I could be there playing this type of match.”
When it comes to playing on grass on the Tour Alcaraz has limited experience. The teenager has only played eight full Tour matches on the grass. Six of those were in 2019 when he played on the ITF junior circuit. He played two as a pro last year at Wimbledon.
Alcaraz has achieved a win-loss record of 32-4 so far this season. The players who had beaten him are Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Sebastian Korda and Matteo Berrettini.
