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Opelka believes that no American can defeat Carlos Alcaraz.
The
American is currently sidelined due to a hip injury. As of Monday, he will drop
to world No. 587, having not played since his defeat against Nick Kyrgios at
the ATP 500 Washington Open in August 2022.
Opelka said
he doesn't think any of his compatriots can beat the young star Carlos Alcaraz.
The Spaniard has already defeated Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz this year without
losing a set or service game, both on his way to the Miami Open Masters 1000
title. For Opelka, this shows that they can't compete with the 2022 US Open
champion.
“I don’t
think we’ll ever get a guy to beat Carlos. Fritz is the best American hands
down right now. Look what happened in Miami. As great a ball striker as Fritz
is, Alcaraz is so fast. Tennis-wise, he is up there with Novak & Rafa.”
Alcaraz
will start his return to the top of the world rankings on Monday, by just
stepping onto the court against his compatriot Albert Ramos Vinolas. Even if he
were to be defeated, Alcaraz would earn 10 points that would temporarily put
him ahead of Novak Djokovic.
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
Opelka believes no American will beat Alcaraz: “I don’t think we’ll ever get a guy to beat Carlos. Fritz is best American hands down right now.. Look what happened in Miami. As great a ball striker as Fritz is, Alcaraz is so fast. Tennis-wise, he is up there with Novak & Rafa.”