Turin.- Carlos Alcaraz Reflects on Loss to Djokovic and Sets Ambitious Goals
Carlos Alcaraz boarded a flight from Turin to Alicante on Sunday, still processing his defeat against Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals, which marked the end of his season. The Serbian’s dominant performance served as a valuable lesson for the young Murcian player, who is fully aware that he needs to push himself harder and improve if he wants to achieve his ambitious goal: becoming one of the greatest tennis players in history.
As the year comes to a close, Alcaraz can look back on a spectacular season that included six titles and the crowning moment of winning Wimbledon. Now, he is embarking on a well-deserved vacation to disconnect and recharge his batteries for what lies ahead, starting on December 8. That Friday marks the beginning of the preseason at Juan Carlos Ferrero’s academy, where Alcaraz will prepare for the upcoming challenges.
However, before the preseason begins, Alcaraz has a few commitments to fulfill. On Monday, he will travel to Geneva for an event hosted by Rolex, one of his main sponsors. A few days later, he will fly to Mexico, where he will participate in an exhibition at the Monumental, the largest bullring in the world, on November 29. The exhibition will also feature the presence of Tommy Paul, Maria Sakkari, Caroline Wozniacki, and Alcaraz’s close friend, Sebastián Yatra. After the exhibition, Alcaraz plans to take a short vacation in Mexico to rest and recharge.
Preseason and Journey to Australia
Alcaraz will return to work on December 8, as Ferrero and his team have already begun planning the preseason training program. This will involve a combination of physical exercises and tennis practice to ensure that Alcaraz starts the 2024 season with high aspirations for success in the Australian summer. It will be his first visit to Australia in two years, as he missed the tournament in 2023 due to a thigh injury just days before his scheduled departure.
The preseason training at the Villena academy will only be briefly interrupted for an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia on December 26 and 27, where Alcaraz will face Djokovic in Riyadh. While Djokovic will then head to Australia, Alcaraz will return home to continue training at the Ferrero academy for a few more days. The plan is for Alcaraz to travel to Australia in the second week of January and make his debut directly in the first Grand Slam of the season.
However, negotiations are still underway for Alcaraz to participate in two additional exhibitions before the Australian Open begins on January 14. Regardless, Alcaraz will have a minimum of 57 days without competing, which will allow him to focus on training and further improving his skills.
Nacho Encabo is a sports editor at Relevo, specializing in tennis and the Olympic Games. Born in Madrid, he studied Journalism and Audiovisual Communication at the Rey Juan Carlos University. He began his career as an intern in the sports section of El Mundo in 2011. Shortly after, his proficiency in German opened the doors to the dpa agency, where he worked as a special correspondent for the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, the Euro Cup in France 2016, and the World Cup in Russia 2018. Throughout his career, he has covered all four Grand Slam tournaments, the Davis Cup, various athletics world championships, Formula 1 Grand Prix races, and numerous matches in LaLiga and the Champions League. He has also worked as a reporter for El Independiente and was part of the Spanish Olympic Committee team at the Tokyo Olympics.
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One Response
Carlos Alcaraz may have experienced defeat at the ATP Finals, but that loss has only further fueled his ambition for the upcoming season. With his unwavering determination and hunger to succeed, Alcaraz is set to make a strong comeback and prove that setbacks are merely stepping stones to achieving his dreams. Watch out for this young tennis prodigy as he continues to rise through the ranks and leave a lasting mark in the world of tennis.