I continued to be aggressive, positive despite losing the first set.
Carlos Alcaraz
“I really had a good time, it was a great match,” the champion said during the on-court interview. “I am very happy. I continued to be aggressive, positive despite losing the first set, and it ended up paying off.” A mentality which must not have been so easy to maintain, as the initial round could have given him a crushing blow to the noggin, causing him to lose all his wits.
“Overall, if you look at the statistics, he was much better in all areas,” Novak Djokovic said for CBS 2023 about his famous 2019 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. “But I won the match. It shows that you can always win by knowing how to show your best level in the most important moments.” An analysis summarizing what Alcaraz experienced in the opening round: he must have felt like he was in Federer’s shoes.
Alcaraz a tone above in the exchange, Sinner more solid in important moments
After leading 5-3, then having a set point at 5-4 on the opposing service, the Transpyrénéen had two more at 6-4 in the deciding game. In vain. He ended up losing by losing the last four exchanges, despite having gleaned more than the Transalpine in total in this set: 45 against 44. Moreover, another aspect which could have been common with Djokovic – Federer of 2019, the native of El Palmar could have lost the fight with more points on the clock: at 6-5 against him in the last, he had 121 and his opponent 116. But no.
The nickname “Carlitos” pushed this parallel to take a tangent. By remaining nervously solid, he who has sometimes shown signs of frustration in the face of missed opportunities in the past, facing a world number 1 with a face as illegible as a log and a master of emotions to the point of giving the impression of being as resistant to pressure as a giant squid. Despite missed opportunities, forehand errors and “easy” volleys when finishing extended games, Alcaraz did not flinch. Even displaying several smiles full of pleasure, as if to taunt the tension.
Two players determined to attack as soon as they return
Each determined to take the game on their own to be struck as little as possible by the lightning that animate the opponent’s arm, the two men strove to attack each other as soon as they returned from the second serve. The goal is the same as in hopscotch: to advance as much as possible to eventually reach the (seventh) heaven. And in this little game, while Sinner passed 58% of first balls and Alcaraz 60%, the latter ended up having the last word. On the wire.
On the brink of the abyss at 6-7⁶, 3-4 by saving two break points during an endless game of unbearable tension going eight times in a tie, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s protégé took a step forward. A not so big one, after two consecutive aces – out of six in total – that he crossed the gap to win six of the next seven games and increase the score to 6-7⁶, 6-4, 3-1 in his favor . Although broken, at 4-3, he proved that he was the best in this match, by going for the tie-break when all the indicators were against him.
Alcaraz, led 3-0 double mini-break by a Sinner who had won 17 of his last 18 tie-breaks played
Facing a Sinner who had won 17 of his last 18 decisive games played, Alcaraz found himself trailing 3-0, double mini-break, notably losing to a drop shot, an area in which the idol of the “Carota Boys” has progressed considerably over the past two years. The carrots were cooked for Alcaraz, one could then think. Nope. He still held the stick to continue to let loose the horses and line up seven consecutive points by producing phenomenal tennis (caraz).
“Yes, I knew the statistics (of Jannik Sinner in the tie-break)”, he replied once the success was in his pocket. “I knew he won almost every tie-break. I didn’t lose hope (at 0-3 in the decider), but I said to myself: OK, I have to give everything I have if I want to have a chance.’ I played some great points to come back. Afterwards, I just thought I had to let my shots go. If I had lost, at least I would have taken my chance.”
Strong words from Alcaraz for a sinner in the midst of tumult
“You are doing a great job with your team and your family,” declared Sinner during the trophy presentation, during which he had won the most beautiful one a year earlier by offering himself Daniil Medvedev pure the first time in his career. “I hope we can face each other some more times in the future, which I’m pretty sure will happen. It’s always a great pleasure to share the court with roof. Thank you so much.”
“I saw you working, very hard,” Alcaraz replied. “You are very humble, that makes your success even greater. You play great tennis, but more importantly, you and your loved ones are very good people. I respect you a lot as a player, but even more as a person.”
I respect you a lot as a player, but even more as a person.
Carlos Alcaraz to Jannik Sinner
Words from the winner of Wimbledon and Roland-Garros 2014 which certainly warmed the heart of the man who took the title of emperor of the hard court by taking over the Australian Open and the US Open. The latter is awaiting the judgment of the appeal filed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, requesting “one to two years of suspension” against him, before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
A decision that will take several months, and which could deprive us of potential new episodes of this new series blockbuster tennis that is the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
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