Carlos Alcaraz confident of return to 100% fitness ahead of French Open, not writing off Djokovic, Nadal or Sinner
ATPWednesday, 22 May 2024 at 15:47
Carlos Alcaraz is not writing off the chances of any of the big names ahead of Roland Garros in particular Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. As he fights his own battles and finds his way back on court, the Wimbledon champion said that he will be at 100% ahead of the French Open.
Alcaraz who has dealt with a forearm issue for most of the clay court season has only played in Madrid and albeit has been training hard since to be ready is an unknown quantity. He still remains as the odds on favourite to win Roland Garros though in public opinion and also with odds compilers. But he admitted as he heads to Roland Garros that he is nearly there.
"Things are going well lately, I'm really happy with all the progress. It was difficult for me because at the beginning the doctors told me itās not going to be really serious, itās just going to take a few days, from five to seven, and it wasnāt that time," said Alcaraz.
"I was dealing with the pain, with how to focus my practices to the injury. Playing the Mutua Madrid Open not at my 100% was difficult as well but Iām really happy that I had the chance to play. Missing Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, tournaments that are really beautiful for me, was tough but things are going very, very good lately and thatās all that matters. I think Iāll be at my 100%."
But in returning, Alcaraz is under no illusion that it is set to be an open Grand Slam. But that he views it as the cream likely rising to the top as usual amid all of the pre-tournament hype and conjecture. "I think itās really open right now," he said. "A lot of players are playing really good tennis lately. Letās see, but itās Roland Garros, itās a grand slam.
"Jannik is coming back from an injury, myself as well. Djokovic is not playing his best tennis but Iām pretty sure, once we step on the court at Roland Garros, itās going to seem that we didnāt get injured."
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured) isn't writing off any of the big names despite injuries and conjecture about form.
In particular, Alcaraz isn't writing off a certain duo who have supreme success in Paris. But both are ailing and perhaps are not at their best anymore. Djokovic more jury is out and we will soon see in Geneva this week.
"Probably heās (Novak) not playing his best tennis, heās not winning tournaments, but heās able to play Roland Garros and win it." he continued. "Novak has that talent, not winning tournaments for a year and then the big moments, the big tournaments, heās able to win and to show his best tennis, and everybody thinks, 'How is that possibleā? Thatās the Novak Djokovic spirit and thatās why heās one of the best in history."
"Like Novak, probably Rafa is not playing his best tennis, heās not feeling well physically, but, at Roland Garros, I think he has chances to play great tennis and do a great result. He has shown over the years that heās able to do it."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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