Alcaraz surrenders to Zverev: "It's a number one well deserved"

Carlos Alcaraz returns to the fray and this time it is at the ATP 500 in Vienna after the postponement of the Six Kings Slam. For the Spaniard, it will be his first appointment in a final month of demanding competition on the indoor hard courts of Europe. After his stint in Austria, where he will debut against Karen Khachanov, he will face the Masters 1000 in Paris, the ATP Finals in Turin, and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, where captain David Ferrer has confirmed his presence.

The world number three returns to Vienna five years later. In that tournament, a few months after his first milestone, when he reached the quarterfinals at the US Open 2021 by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas, he took down Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini before falling to Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. The German, five years later, is the new world number one, and the Murcian has not hesitated to praise him in his first press conference in the Austrian capital.

Alcaraz congratulates Zverev for being the new world number one

"He totally deserves it. Tennis is not just about jumping on the court and playing well. It is not enough to be the best in a specific match: what truly matters is the consistency you maintain throughout the season. There are players who stand out for their style or level of play, and others who excel due to their physical attributes. In Sascha's case, I think he has both."

"He has extraordinary tennis level and physical conditions that allow him to compete all year long, reach finals week after week, avoid serious injuries, and maintain consistency without experiencing too much fatigue. That is why I believe he is a well-deserved number one and has had an extraordinary season. I am very happy for him because I know how hard he has worked to achieve this goal. It is a well-deserved reward."

Alcaraz confessed to missing his duels against Sinner and Djokovic

"Facing those players demands something different. When you play against them, you realize what you need to work on in the next training session. These are matches that push you to the limit and allow you to identify areas where you need to improve. I miss facing them and also watching those matches from the outside. I think returning to play against them will be very important for me. I look forward to continuing to compete, although, of course, I miss measuring myself against those players."

The return to Vienna five years later brings out Alcaraz's nostalgic side

"Now that you mention it, five years may seem like a short time, but at the same time, it has been a very long journey for me. From the first time I played here until today, I have achieved great things that I am very proud of. However, I still feel like the same boy, with the same ambition and the same dreams. And I continue to enjoy every time I step onto the court."

"Sometimes it is difficult to stop and think about the entire journey, the tournaments I have played and the ones I have won, because it is a continuous process. You keep playing, training, and competing, and you are not always aware of everything you are achieving. Now that you mention it, it seems incredible to me, but the truth is that I don't usually stop to think about it."

Alcaraz revealed the reason he decided to participate at the last minute in Vienna

"This year I have competed less than usual and I need to play tournaments to recover my best level. I need to compete, have continuity, and feel free on the court again. I am happy with my game and the level I am showing right now, but I feel that I still need to regain my competitive rhythm. Coming here, training with these players, and facing them will help me achieve that little by little."

"I had been without competing for a few weeks, and my team and I thought Vienna was a good opportunity. The draw is very demanding and there are great players, so I think it can be a very important week for continuing to improve."

Alcaraz is already thinking about the Davis Cup finals

"The Davis Cup is a very important goal for me. I think we have a great team this year and good chances of doing something significant. I will be there to try to help the team in every way I can. We'll see who we face in that first tie against Austria."

Alcaraz talked about how he manages the pressure of being the favorite

"The most important thing I can do as a role model is to set an example with my behavior, both on and off the court. It is not just about winning matches or lifting trophies but also about how you face challenges, how you fight, and the love you show for this sport. During the five months that I was without competing, it was also important how I faced recovery, how I worked to return as soon as possible, and how I mentally managed the injury."

"I don't feel that pressure. I just try to behave as I am, both on and off the court. I am very glad that children and many others see me as a good role model. That is why I will continue doing things the same way because it is my way of being," asserted Carlos Alcaraz, who seeks to start the European indoor hard court tour in the best possible way.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz se rinde a Zverev: “Es un número uno más que merecido”