“If he wants to beat me, he’s going to have to sweat a lot”: Carlos Alcaraz sends warning after he reaches US Open semis

Carlos Alcaraz was all smiles after a commanding straight-sets victory over Jiri Lehecka, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4, booking his place in the US Open semi-finals. The Spaniard, still only 21, looked every bit like the reigning champion, dismissing his Czech rival with power, finesse, and the kind of swagger that has come to define him on the biggest stages.

Lehecka himself admitted he had run into “Grand Slam Carlos,” and Alcaraz couldn’t hide his delight at the remark. “It feels great, you know, hearing those words from my opponent today. I think today I just played a really, almost perfect match,” he said. For the Spaniard, the focus remains simple: two more matches to go. “

Playing a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam and feeling that way, it seems like, OK, just two more steps to do and let’s see what happens. But yeah, just feeling great and hungry to make it all the way.”

If Alcaraz looked close to flawless on the scoreboard, the secret weapon may have been his serve. Over the past year, it has quietly become a lethal part of his arsenal. “I’ve been improving my serve a lot. Every practice, every match, I try to feel more comfortable with the movement, hitting good serves, and keeping the percentage up. Tennis is really hard sometimes—one day you can serve really well, and the next you can feel completely different. So I just try to stay focused.” That newfound consistency at key moments left Lehecka with little chance to find rhythm.

Beyond the statistics, though, what stood out most was Alcaraz’s body language. There’s a sense of theatre in how he carries himself between points, something his rivals cannot ignore. “We’re playing two kinds of matches at the same time,” he explained.

“The body language, how you show the opponent how you feel, is really important. Even if you feel exhausted, if you show the opponent you’re fresh, you can play two, three more hours, it gives him the mindset that it’s going to be really tough.”

The mental battle could become crucial in the semi-finals, where Alcaraz may face Novak Djokovic, should the Serb overcome Taylor Fritz. “We all know Novak’s game,” Alcaraz said cautiously, refusing to look too far ahead. “Even though he’s been out since Wimbledon, he’s playing great matches here. I know he’s hungry, I know he’s ambitious for more. Let’s see. If it’s him, I really want to revenge that.” At the same time, he acknowledged Fritz’s threat: “Playing at home with the crowd behind him, the shots he has are unbelievable as well. He’s really tough.”

Interestingly, Alcaraz finds his balance not only on the tennis court but also on the golf course. Since 2020, he has picked up the sport and now boasts a handicap of 14. “I just fell in love with golf. It gives me a lot of peace when I’m out on the course,” he said. Tomorrow, he’ll even tee off with Sergio García and David Puig. “It’s a privilege to have time to play some golf, to be honest.”

In Spanish, Alcaraz reflected on his run with the same composure he shows on court. “I think I played a perfect match. Maybe the best I’ve played so far, for the moment, for the opponent, for how things developed,” he admitted. “Going into a Grand Slam semi-final gives you a lot of peace of mind and confidence.” While he refused to measure himself in percentages, he added: “Right now it’s pretty high.”

New York, of course, holds a special place in his heart. “The energy you feel here in New York is different. It’s special. Obviously, this is where I won my first Grand Slam, which makes this tournament even more special for me. My style of play, the way I like to play, is similar to what people like and what they want. I love playing here, and the love I get is very special.”

The world No. 1 also paid tribute to the fans back home. “First of all, I’m sorry for keeping everyone up so late,” he smiled. “But above all, I want to thank you. There are a lot of people from Spain who are here, a lot who travelled, and many who stay up late at home. That energy is fundamental for me. A big part of the joy I feel on court is thanks to them.”

Asked whether he could deliver a sixth Grand Slam title this Sunday, Alcaraz’s answer was typically humble yet defiant: “We’re going to try. It’s not easy. The final stretch of a tournament is the most complicated. But we’ll give it our all so that it can happen.”

From his fearless shot-making to his ever-growing confidence, Alcaraz looks like a man who is not only defending a title but also making another defining statement in his young career. Whether it’s Djokovic, Fritz, or anyone else across the net, the message is clear: “If he wants to beat me, he’s going to have to sweat a lot and run a lot.”