“I’m not thinking about last year”: Carlos Alcaraz focused on fresh US Open run before Lehecka clash

Carlos Alcaraz continues to stride confidently through the 2025 US Open, booking his place in the quarter-finals after a straight-sets win over Arthur Rinderknech, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4. The defending champion once again demonstrated the blend of athleticism, power, and shot-making finesse that has made him one of the brightest stars on the tour. Yet in his post-match press conference, Alcaraz was quick to highlight not just the victory, but the challenges that lie ahead.

Asked about his next opponent Jiri Lehecka, the Spaniard didn’t shy away from admitting the difficulty of their rivalry. “He’s really tough,” Alcaraz said. “He’s kind of the same style as Arthur today, but with more consistency. Big shots, big serve. I struggle every time I play against him, there’s no doubt about it, so that shows how difficult it is.” With their head-to-head even this season, Alcaraz knows fine margins will decide their quarter-final showdown.

Consistency is a word that followed him throughout the press conference. The 22-year-old has now reached the quarter-finals or better in 11 of his last 12 Grand Slam appearances, a record that underlines both his talent and his steadiness on the biggest stages. “A lot of people have said I’m not as consistent as I should be,” Alcaraz admitted. “But at the same time those stats are really great for me to know. It shows I’m making really good results in really good tournaments.”

Despite often holding himself to higher standards, he acknowledged the importance of perspective: “Sometimes I’m really hard on myself that the quarter-final is not enough, semi-final is not enough. But you have to see more than the results.”

That mindset also extends to how he approaches his preparation. While to fans his performances may look flawless, Alcaraz insisted there’s always work to do. “On the days off, we approach practice the same way I need to play in the next match,” he explained. “For example, yesterday I worked on how I should deal with serve-and-volley. Tomorrow we’ll see what the game plan is, and I’ll practise that way—just trying to be as ready as possible.”

The Spaniard also revealed he has moved on from the “bad taste” of last year’s US Open campaign. “Right now, I’m not thinking about last year anymore,” he said. “I’m just going to the court knowing I’m playing well and feeling great physically. I’m hitting the ball really well too. So I’m just focused on playing my best tennis and enjoying myself when I step on the court.” For Alcaraz, that balance between hard work and joy has become central to his progress.

Of course, no discussion around Alcaraz is complete without mentioning his growing rivalry with Jannik Sinner, a storyline that has captivated tennis fans around the world. Alcaraz himself compared it to what he grew up watching. “What makes a really good rivalry, obviously the matches,” he explained. “And in which rounds we play each other, what we are fighting for. Right now, Jannik and I are fighting for the No. 1 spot, for Grand Slams. We’ve already played two finals this year, a few Masters 1000 finals. We’re fighting for the biggest things in tennis.” Drawing a parallel to Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, he added: “That’s what the Big Three did. They split the Grand Slam finals and the No. 1 spot for a really long time. That’s what makes a great rivalry.”

Another key point in Alcaraz’s progress has been his serve, which has become an increasingly potent weapon. “We’ve always been clear that the serve is a great weapon and very important nowadays,” he said. “We’ve put a lot of emphasis on improving it—finding a good rhythm, a good toss, and overall a good feeling. We’ve found a good dynamic now. Of course, it can still improve, but I’m very happy with how it’s going. It’s definitely helped me get where I am today.”

Away from the court, Alcaraz has been working on his English by watching movies and series. “I’m more of a movie guy than a series guy,” he revealed with a smile. “The last one I watched was Pulp Fiction. I know it’s old, but there are a lot of really good movies I hadn’t seen. I also watched Shutter Island—I loved it. And the series, I just watched Suits. Really good one—long, but a really good one.”

As he heads into another quarter-final, Alcaraz’s combination of maturity, perspective, and relentless drive continues to fuel his rise. Whether it’s the progress in his serve, his ability to enjoy the moment, or the rivalries that define an era, the Spaniard knows exactly where he stands. “I have to be prepared,” he said simply of the Lehecka clash. “I’ll try to keep doing the good things and show my best tennis, which I’ll need if I want to win.”