World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz has candidly revealed the challenges he’s already facing at the Cincinnati Open, despite securing a three-set victory in his opening round. Following a hard-fought win against Damir Dzumhur, the Spaniard confessed that the conditions on the fast-paced hard courts are making it “really difficult” to play his best tennis. This admission provides a rare glimpse into the mental and physical hurdles even a top-ranked player must overcome to succeed.
Alcaraz’s match against the Bosnian was a microcosm of his struggle to find rhythm. After a dominant 6-1 first set, the momentum shifted dramatically as he dropped the second set 6-2, a lapse that left him searching for answers. He eventually regrouped to take the final set 6-3, but the experience was far from comfortable. Reflecting on the rollercoaster nature of the match, Alcaraz said, “It was just a rollercoaster. Lots of good feelings, bad feelings, back to the good ones. All I can say is I am happy to get the win at the end and just have another chance to be better.”
The young champion’s post-match comments delved into the specifics of what he’s finding so tricky about the Cincinnati courts. “The ball flies a lot, goes super fast,” he explained, a factor that requires constant vigilance and precision. “You have to be ready to be in a good position for each shot and that is really difficult to do.” Alcaraz’s self-assessment reveals a player acutely aware of his performance and the need for adaptation. He acknowledged that moments of “disconnect” are particularly costly in these fast conditions. “If you lose your feeling, in two or three points, then it’s really, really difficult to come back,” he noted, a lesson he learned firsthand during his second-set slump.
This victory marked Alcaraz’s return to the hard-court circuit after a well-deserved break following his runner-up finish to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. He spent time in Ibiza and southern Spain to recharge, and his post-match reflections touched on the importance of these periods of rest. “I love having time for me if I have to be honest,” he stated. “I always say that’s what you are working for as well, you know? Okay, I love playing tennis and I love when I step on the court, but sometimes it’s too many days in a row, too many weeks in a row.” The time away from the grind of the tour, he feels, is essential for him to return “hungry and ready to win again,” a mindset he will need to carry him through the remainder of the tournament.
Alcaraz’s focus is now firmly on the next match and regaining his rhythm. He openly stated his intention to use his rest day to get his “confidence back because today it was a little bit tricky,” and to “play smart tennis” moving forward. He is determined to continue his aggressive playing style, which he believes is the key to success on these quick courts. “I would like to keep playing very aggressively,” he said. “The conditions are very fast, so if you’re able to attack early, everything becomes much better. I would like to make my opponents suffer, keep feeling better.” This strategic mindset, combined with his unwavering commitment to improvement, is a clear signal that despite the early challenges, Carlos Alcaraz is fully prepared to battle for his first Cincinnati title.
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