“We saw more frustration in Carlos than we've seen throughout the last few years”: Fomer world No. 1 Greg Rusedsky analyzes Carlos Alcaraz's recent hardcourt season

Friday, 22 September 2023 at 22:00

Former world No. 1 Greg Rusedsky spoke about Carlos Alcaraz's frustrating weeks on the hardcourt swing.

The former British-Canadian tennis player responded in an interview on the Tennis Channel Inside podcast and shared his opinion on Carlos Alcaraz's recent performances in the North American tournaments of the US Open series.

The Spanish player reached the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open, lost in the final of the Cincinnati Open to Novak Djokovic, and couldn't defend his title at the US Open, where he fell in the semifinals to Daniil Medvedev. With these results and Djokovic winning two titles, Alcaraz lost his world No. 1 ranking.

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In response, Greg Rusedsky defended Alcaraz's decision not to participate in the Davis Cup following these adverse results.

"I think that's one of the reasons why he (Alcaraz) missed the Davis Cup. Because mentally he is so fatigued from everything that he's been through. He needs a little break," Rusedsky said.

"Let's not forget, from Canada all the way to the US Open, we saw more frustration in Carlos than we've seen throughout the last few years. So this is a nice time for him to reset," he added.

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Former world No. 1 also expressed his eagerness for a potential final between Alcaraz and Djokovic at the ATP Finals, where the Spanish player would aim to return to the top of the rankings or at least come close to 'Nole' for the 2024 season.

"I think we could see that. I think Carlos has something to prove as he will be bitterly disappointed. He wants to throw the gauntlet down for the beginning of the year at Australian (Open). I think that he's going to be in great shape physically and mentally," he said.

"I do hope we get that final. But conditions also are pretty quick, pretty fast. And they have some Italian guy there they might be cheering for, Sinner. Djokovic in Italy is absolutely loved. He is the fan favorite. I have a lot of Italian friends, [to them it's] 'Djokovic, Djokovic, Djokovic'," he said.

Carlos Alcaraz

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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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