The Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has opened up about the most difficult aspect of playing on Grass after beating lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech 4-6 7-5 7-6(3) at Queen’s in London on Tuesday.
Alcaraz's last match before yesterday was against Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of Roland Garros this month which he lost after suffering cramps during the match.
The Spaniard opened up about his recovery after the embarrassment in Paris after the match, “After the French Open I had four days off to rest a little bit and turn my mind off.”
“I picked up a racquet and practised for three days back at home but that was on a hard court. I tried to make similar movements on the hard courts that you’d make on the grass but obviously it’s never the same.”
Alcaraz also mentioned what he finds the most difficult in playing on Grass after the match.
“The most difficult part of playing on grass is being able to move well,” claimed Alcaraz. “You have to be more careful than on the other surfaces; but the most comfortable thing for me is being able to go to the net and play more aggressive all the time.”
“That side is similar to the other surfaces so playing that style is comfortable and natural for me – I really like it. There are a lot of players who slide on grass and I’m not one of them, so I have to think a lot more about my movement and be really focused on every move and every shot I make.”
The Spaniard stated that it can be more tiring because there is no rest as you are consistently moving.
“It can be more tiring because you’re constantly moving – it’s totally different to the other surfaces and I have to put in a specific type of work to get ready for it.”
Alcaraz will now take on Jiri Lechecka in the second round of the ATP 500 event, with the 20-year-old bidding to return to world No.1 with his first title on grass.