The joy of playing has returned for Carlos Alcaraz in u-turn from 'going to kill us' comments

Carlos Alcaraz previously spoke earlier in the month that the way in which the tennis calendar is organised is going to kill players. But he had a semi u-turn on that speaking after his opening win at the Shanghai Masters.

Alcaraz said that in reality the Davis Cup and Laver Cup helped him rediscover his energy and love for the game. So much so that he went on to win the China Open.

So while there are some negatives to it for him, he sees it as an overall positive for his game that he is able to now bring this level out.

“I had a really good month of practice after the American swing. The Davis Cup and the Laver Cup helped me a lot to get the energy back, to get motivated again," said Alcaraz.

"I love playing team competitions, the Davis Cup with the players, with their team, with the Spanish federation as well, all the people who are around just to help me to be better, and feeling great off the court as well, that is really important. The Laver Cup, same thing.

"Those competitions helped me a lot to get the joy back on the court and being focused on what's next.

“I came here to Asia with a lot of energy, enjoying every single second that I step on the court, and that for me it's really important."

Previously asked in September about it, he said that it is going to kill players. These were comments that were slammed though with Alcaraz deciding to play extra tournaments. “Probably they are going to kill us in some way. Right now a lot of good players are going to miss a lot of tournaments because of that (injuries due to overburn.

"Sometimes, you don't want to go to a tournament. I'm not going to lie. I have felt this way a few times already. Sometimes I don't feel motivated at all. But as I've said many, many times, I play my best tennis when I smile and enjoy it on court. That's the best option to keep motivating (myself)."