Carlos Alcaraz juggling surface change and national pride but confident of improving after Olympic Games opener
ATP
Carlos Alcaraz took down Hady Habib earlier today at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris 6-3, 6-1 as he eased past the Lebanese player after early adversity. Albeit he admitted that in his gold medal quest, he still has some factors to figure out.
But while they are on the court, he said they are also off it too with the need to work out playing for his country and the pride around that too. "I felt pretty good on clay in my first match after Wimbledon. Playing on a different surface is always complicated, but the truth is that I felt very good and with very good feeling," said Alcaraz as per MARCA.
"The atmosphere is different because there are many flags and it is something we are not used to seeing during tournaments".
"There are some details that I have to improve and that have cost me but I think that's normal and as I play longer and take more hours of competition, I'll pick it up."
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured) won his singles opener earlier today and is relishing playing with Rafael Nadal.
He will quickly be back in action though as he teams with Rafael Nadal shortly as part of the Nadalcaraz tandem against the sixth seeds Molteni and Gonzalez. He still has belief though despite the challenge being 'complicated'.
“It's going to be a complicated challenge. In the end we play against a couple that is used to playing together. They have had a good year and are very tough. We will try to do our best. If so, I think we are capable of winning that first match together.”
He also discussed missing the Opening Ceremony in which Nadal was a big part of. "These are difficult moments that you have to accept and obviously first things first. At first I was told that it was going to last a lot longer than it did and that my team-mates were going to arrive around one o'clock in the morning, more or less. That's when I said I'd better stay, that I had two games today and I had to be calm and rest as much as possible."
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.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.mandoist05-11-2026
- Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.mandoist31-10-2026
