A serious and focused Alcaraz lays the first stone in Rome

Andrés Tomás Rico | 9 May 2025 | 14.33

"A focused and serious Alcaraz lays the groundwork in Rome." Photo: Getty Images

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Carlos Alcaraz understands neither injuries nor controversies. After tumultuous days due to his discomfort in the right adductor, which prevented him from playing in Madrid, and the release of his documentary, which garnered some criticism, the Murcian displayed the level of tennis shown in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. In other words, dominant and effective, especially with his forehand, as he demonstrated in his first match at the Rome ATP, where he easily defeated Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 22 minutes.

Alcaraz stepped onto the 'Campo Centrale' in Rome with a nasal strip due to a cold, common this time of year, and a bandage on his right thigh, as preventive measure for the injury sustained in the Conde de Godó final, which kept him out of the Mutua Madrid Open. With Roland Garros around the corner, any risk, no matter how small, must be avoided. However, the Spanish player felt ready to compete in the Italian tournament, where he has only played once before (2023). He faced Dusan Lajovic, whom he had defeated on all four previous encounters.

Carlitos had warned the day before that the first match in a tournament is always challenging, even more so when returning from an injury that kept him out of competition for over two weeks. Despite the focus being on him in recent days following the release of his Netflix documentary, where he expresses his desire to be the best in history but in his own way, enjoying life's pleasures and staying away from the sacrifices made by Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic.

A whirlwind from the first point

Nevertheless, neither the inactivity of recent weeks nor the commotion caused by his documentary affected him. The number three player went onto the court focused, avoiding giving any concessions to the Serbian player, who has been far from his best form in recent months. Thus, the Murcian quickly found himself 4-0 up in 20 minutes, as if eager to close the deal and prevent any surprises.

He didn't hesitate to claim the first set, which was speeding by, as if Lajovic knew from the start that this wasn't his battle. Furthermore, the Spaniard's game was working flawlessly, his forehand was dominant and impactful, drop shots were effective again, and his on-court authority remained until he sealed the first set 6-2 in 43 minutes.

No chances given to Lajovic

The start of the second set mirrored the first; Alcaraz capitalizing on the opportunities presented by a struggling Lajovic who could do little against the high level of tennis displayed by the Spaniard. As the match progressed, Alcaraz felt more comfortable and secure on the court, with the Serbian unable to pose a threat, dwindling in confidence with each passing game.

Once again, he went 3-0 up and the outcome of the match became increasingly evident. Alcaraz wasn't taking any risks, and Lajovic wasn't providing any obstacles to ending a match that had only one rightful owner from the first ball. This emphatic start in Rome (6-3, 6-3) marks the beginning of his campaign after last year's absence, aiming to gather momentum and feelings to contend for another title, but above all, to prepare for his second attempt at Roland Garros.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Un Alcaraz serio y sin distracciones pone la primera piedra en Roma