"This is the time of the year that isn’t as important": Tennis analyst believes Carlos Alcaraz prioritising Asian swing was a wrong move
ATP
According
to tennis analyst Gill Gross, Carlos Alcaraz shouldn't put too much emphasis on
the Asian tour and he draws a comparison with Rafael Nadal.
After the
US Open, the young Spaniard continued his schedule by traveling to Asia to play
the ATP 500 China Open and then the Masters 1000 Shanghai Open. After losing
the world No. 1 spot in Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz aimed to achieve good results
to close the gap with Novak Djokovic, who had already announced he wouldn't go
to Asia.
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Despite
securing several victories, these results may not have been what Alcaraz was
expecting. He reached the semifinals of the China Open and then the round of 16
in Shanghai. In the latest episode of "Monday Match Analysis," tennis
analyst Gill Gross responded to a fan who suggested that Alcaraz should reduce
his workload and limit his tournament participation. However, Gross disagreed
with this idea.
"This
is the time of the year that isn’t as important because there’s no Major that
you’re working towards. So why is Shanghai more important than Rome? It’s not.
It’s probably less important than Rome," he explained
"In
the rankings it’s not, prize money… prestige it’s not. But in terms of Alcaraz
wanting to be at his best, if you ask ‘Do you want to be the best in Rome or
Shanghai?’, he’s going to pick Rome."
The analyst
explained his stance by using the example of the 22-time Grand Slam champion,
Rafa Nadal. The 37-year-old Spaniard has won 69 ATP tournaments, in addition to
his Grand Slam titles, but only three of them came during the Asian tour.
"There’s
no reason to prioritize this time of the year, if you’re Carlos Alcaraz. I mean,
look at the career Rafa [Nadal] has had, not doing well after the US Open,
basically ever… he’s still had the career he’s had," Gross added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
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.
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