Archive of posts tagged Carlos

Carlos Alcaraz: 'I need to improve, but I will remain aggressive'

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Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz made a winning start at the Cincinnati Masters. World no. 2 battled past Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 in an hour and 41 minutes, recovering from a terrible second set and sealing the deal in the decider.

The Spaniard understands he needs to raise his level in the upcoming rounds. He disconnected mentally for a couple of points in the second set and struggled to make a comeback before raising his level in the final set.

Carlos is eager to embrace the aggressive approach on the fast hard court, risking errors but sticking to his plan of taking the ball early and gaining the advantage before his opponent. 

World no. 2 played against three break points and failed to save any. He grabbed 46% of the return points and provided five breaks from ten chances. Everything worked well for the former finalist in the first set. 

They hit over 80 unforced errors, and Alcaraz took charge from the baseline while trailing in service winners. Carlos took charge in the first set and generated chances in all four return games.

Alcaraz secured three straight breaks and moved 6-1 in front after 28 minutes. That feeling was gone in the second set! Damir bounced back and secured breaks in games three and five for a massive lead.

Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The Bosnian closed the set at 5-2 and forced a decider. Carlos recovered and provided a break in the fourth game. He held in the next one to move 4-1 in front and closer to the finish line. 

However, Alcaraz missed a game point at 4-2 and lost serve to bring his rival back to the positive side. Instead of building on that, Dzumhur hit a double fault in the eighth game and lost serve to fall 5-3 behind.

The Spaniard held in game nine and moved over the finish line.

Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot

 

"I would say I need to play better. I started very well and felt the ball nicely. However, if you disconnect mentally, even for a couple of points, everything becomes very complicated, and it's hard to return.

I want to feel much better in my next match. In practice, we talk about being completely focused and thinking positively all the time. If things are not going well, I have to keep doing what I'm doing because eventually I will improve and things will go in the right direction.

That's what I tried today, even after making mistakes. I know what my goals are in this tournament and how I approach each match. I have to stick to that. Those things will work out in the end.

I would like to continue playing very aggressively. The conditions are very fast, and everything becomes much better if you manage to attack first. I would like to make my opponents suffer, and I hope to feel better with every match," Carlos Alcaraz said.

Carlos Alcaraz faces Damir Dzumhur in Cincinnati. Another thriller coming?

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Alcaraz

World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will chase his first Cincinnati Masters title. The Spaniard starts his campaign against Damir Dzumhur, returning to action for the first time since losing his first Major final to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.

Carlos and Damir embraced a thriller at Roland Garros two months ago, and maybe we can see another tight duel between them in Ohio. The Spaniard and the Bosnian faced in the third round in Paris.

The favorite prevailed 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours and 14 minutes en route to the last 16. Alcaraz controlled the pace in the opening two sets before losing his vibe and struggling in the remaining two.

Dzumhur took the pivotal points of the third set and forged a 3-1 advantage in the fourth, using the defending champion's shaky period. However, Carlos woke up and grabbed five of the final six games to emerge at the top and avoid a decider. 

The Spaniard admitted he did not know what to do in the third set, losing ground and struggling to overcome an inspired opponent. However, he found improvements and wrapped up a challenging duel in style. 

Alcaraz played against 12 break points and saved nine. He generated 21 chances on the return and converted seven, including ones in the pivotal moments. The Spaniard hit 52 winners and 44 unforced errors.

Damir Dzumhur & Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros 2025

Damir Dzumhur & Carlos Alcaraz, Roland Garros 2025© Stream screenshot

 

World no. 2 saved two break points in the first game of the duel and secured back-to-back breaks en route to 6-1 in under half an hour. Damir lost serve at 1-1 in the second set and fell behind. 

The Bosnian served to stay in the set at 3-5 and played another loose service game, propelling his rival two sets to love in front. Dzumhur raised his level in the third set.

He secured a break in the seventh game and disturbed the rival's momentum. Damir denied six break points in games eight and ten, wrapping up the set 6-4 and gaining a boost.

Carlos made his position even more challenging after losing serve at the beginning of the fourth set. He trailed 3-1 before erasing the deficit with a break in game six.

Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2023© Stream screenshot

 

The Spaniard secured the seventh game after a deuce and moved in front. The defending champion made another push on the return at 4-3 and delivered another break to rattle off four games and extend the gap. 

Alcaraz served for the win at 5-3 and suffered a break to keep his rival in contention. However, Dzumhur experienced another break at 4-5, propelling the favorite into the last 16.

Carlos Alcaraz reflects on Wimbledon loss to Jannik Sinner: 'I left the court happy'

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All England Club

World no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will chase his first Cincinnati crown. The 22-year-old hit the practice court in Ohio with his trademark energy and perspective, leaving the recent setback behind and chasing new titles.

The five-time Major champion reflected on a key moment from earlier this summer – his first loss in a Major final at Wimbledon to Jannik Sinner. After winning the first five Major finals, Carlos ended on the losing side for the first time. 

Jannik lost the opener but earned a well-deserved 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory, avenging the Roland Garros heartbreak. Despite the defeat, the Spaniard found reasons to leave the court with pride and joy.

Alcaraz entered the final with a 5-0 score in the title match, a remarkable feat for any player. However, he acknowledged the fact he had to lose a Major final at some point, like every other player.

As he walked off Centre Court without his third consecutive Wimbledon trophy, the 22-year-old felt pride instead of frustration. The Spaniard recognized the need for improvement but described his defeat as part of a natural progression.

The setback has not dampened Alcaraz's drive. Instead, with a grounded mind and a growing hunger to evolve and become one of the ultimate tennis champions, he is focused on what lies ahead.

Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2025© Facebook – Wimbledon

 

His next goal? Cincinnati and US Open titles and the ATP throne taken away from Jannik Sinner! The hard-court season unfolds, and Carlos brings with him the lessons from the All England Club. 

They are not a burden but fuel for the journey forward. After performing a miraculous escape in Paris, the Spaniard could not provide similar performance in London. 

He claimed the opener before Sinner bounced back and claimed the next three sets with a single break in each, outplaying his greatest rival and providing his first loss in Major finals.

Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2025

Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz, 2025© Stream screenshot

 

"I want to win every final I play, especially at Majors. I lost to Jannik at Wimbledon, but left the court happy and proud. I smiled and thought that I had to lose a Major final at some point, like everyone else.

I have to make many improvements from the title match in London, but I felt good right after the match. I had to be grateful for everything I have achieved, and reaching the Wimbledon final is always great.

I lost it, but I still felt proud and happy with everything I did," Carlos Alcaraz said. 

Carlos Alcaraz rejects Rafael Nadal successor label: 'We are not obliged'

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Carlos

Carlos Alcaraz is the five-time Major champion at 22. The El Palmar's early success has drawn inevitable comparisons to his great compatriot and idol, Rafael Nadal.

Yet, the young gun is determined to forge his own identity, following that path since his arrival on the Tour. Frequently hailed as Nadal's heir, Alcaraz is grateful for the admiration but refuses to embrace that narrative.

Carlos does not want to see himself as Rafa's successor. He reflected on the great rivalries and great players we had in the past. However, he does not feel obligated to use the same path and mirror what they did.

While respectful of the legacy forged by Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Carlos emphasized the importance of self-belief and individuality. 

The young gun is defending his ideas and philosophy, using it as a defensive mechanism against pressure. As he adds more trophies to his growing collection, Alcaraz remains focused on building a legacy that is entirely his own.

The Spaniard has been the player to beat since April. The 22-year-old has embraced six consecutive finals, conquering Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros and Queen's while falling in the Wimbledon final to Jannik Sinner.

Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz, 2024 Paris Olympics

Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot

 

The El Palmar native took a couple of weeks off the court after losing his first Major final in London. He withdrew from Toronto and hit the practice court ahead of his next stop. 

It's next week's Cincinnati Masters, his final preparation for the US Open. Carlos' goals? Another Major trophy in New York and the ATP throne taken from Jannik Sinner!

"I do not want to be seen as Rafa's successor. Tennis has always had great rivalries and great players. It's a privilege that people watch our matches in this way, with such enthusiasm.

In the end, we have no obligation to do what they did, far from it. If you do not defend your ideals and aspirations, that pressure can consume you. You have to know how to differentiate.

We try not to think about the pressure and, above all, to do as they did," Carlos Alcaraz said.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz follow in Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's footsteps

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All England Club

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have dominated the most notable tennis stage since 2024, having won the previous seven Major titles. Their first final came at Roland Garros this June, and they turned it into one of the most thrilling matches of all time.

We did not have to wait for too long to see the world's greatest players battle for another Major trophy, with the two favorites reaching the title clash at the All England Club. 

The first-time Wimbledon finalist Sinner ousted the two-time champion Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, earning his first Major crown outside hard and providing the Spaniard's first loss in the Major finals.

At 22 years and two months (Alcaraz) and 23 years and ten months (Sinner), they evoked memories of the 2006 Wimbledon final, forging the youngest title clash at the All England Club since Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. 

Eighteen years ago, the world's best players fought for the Wimbledon crown for the first time. Nadal turned 20 just a month ago, and Federer was still 24, celebrating his 25th birthday a month later.

Carlos and Jannik could not match them, but they still achieved a notable milestone, another in their growing joined CV. They could not revive the thrill and excitement from their Paris match. 

Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2025

Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2025© Stream screenshot

 

However, their final reflected a shift in power and reaffirmed the bright future of men's tennis. Both players are hungry for more, and no one should be surprised if we see them in another title clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium in September.

Unlike in Paris, Jannik took charge in London and celebrated his fourth Major crown. The Spaniard claimed the opener before the Italian took charge, serving well and provided a single break in each of sets two, three and four to emerge at the top.

Thus, Sinner showed incredible mental strength following the Parisian heartbreak. He bounced back at Wimbledon and secured his third trophy at the previous four Majors.

French Open 2025 Day Ten Recap

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Day Ten at Roland Garros saw the first two men’s semi-final spots claimed, and neither match went the distance. Lorenzo Musetti continued his dream clay season with a composed four-set win over Frances Tiafoe, seizing the key moments late in the third before powering through the fourth to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final. Carlos …