Alcaraz explains how he has regained motivation for tennis

The Spanish player is happy about his recent victory, although he hasn't had time for celebrations: "We arrived in Shanghai at 4:00 in the morning".

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 3 Oct 2024 | 07.39
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Carlos Alcaraz speaks at the ATP Shanghai 2024 Media Day. Photo: Getty
Carlos Alcaraz speaks at the ATP Shanghai 2024 Media Day. Photo: Getty

To the surprise of the entire world, just a few hours after lifting the trophy at the ATP Beijing 2024, Carlos Alcaraz was traveling as fast as possible to his next destination: the ATP Shanghai 2024. The Spaniard was not traveling alone; in addition to his team, the Murcian was accompanied on the same private plane by Jannik Sinner, whom he had recently beaten. Still, with not much time to process everything that had happened, Alcaraz goes through the Media Day of the Chinese Masters 1000 to discuss how he sees his tennis at this moment.

From the Beijing final to the Shanghai press conference

"Well, I couldn't do much after the final. I did what I had to do, go to the press conference, take a shower. I did everything quickly because I had to catch the flight to come here, so I did everything in a hurry. We got on the plane and arrived in Shanghai very late. I couldn't sleep as much as I would have liked, but I am happy to be here in Shanghai. Very happy for the victory and focused on this tournament."

His relationship with Jannik Sinner

"We don't talk much when we are around here, but we also get along well off the court. We respect each other a lot as players and as people. When we are traveling or at tournaments, we are with our teams, so we don't talk much. When we can, we talk about things outside of tennis, about life, but not too much either. We have a good relationship, but we are not best friends."

About his first opponent in Shanghai: Juncheng Shang

"I've only played once with him, at the Australian Open, where he got injured. After that, I didn't train with him or play against him. I have seen some of his matches. I know he has great potential, very good tennis. I will approach the match the same way I approach every match, I will prepare as well as I can. I have two days to get used to the conditions in Shanghai. I hope to keep playing the way I have been, I will be ready."

The tennis calendar

"I've said it several times, the tennis calendar is very tight, but we have to get used to it. Yesterday we finished around 9:00 p.m. after a 3-hour match, I didn't have time to do anything else. I went to the club before the match with all the suitcases because I knew we would have to leave quickly afterwards to catch the flight. We arrived at 4:00 a.m., got some sleep and adjusted to the conditions in Shanghai. The calendar is very tight, we travel from tournament to tournament, with only one or two days before it starts. It is complicated, but we have to adapt," confesses Alcaraz. "I slept a total of 6 hours, I couldn't sleep more. I came to the tournament and will rest a bit, I need it. Tomorrow I will start training and on Saturday I will try to play at my best."

What has made the difference compared to previous months?

"Training. I had a good month of training after the American tour. Of course, then I played the Davis Cup and the Laver Cup, which helped me regain energy, motivation. I love playing team tournaments, they help me to be better, to feel good off the court. Those tournaments have helped me regain joy on the court, to focus on the next things. I arrived in Asia with a lot of energy, enjoying every second on the court, something very important to me. Right now, I am ready for the upcoming tournaments."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz explica cómo ha recuperado la motivación por el tenis