Alcaraz reveals what he needs to find his best version

Carlos Navarro - 27 Oct 2026 | 19:00
Carlos Alcaraz ATP Viena 2026 ATP Rueda de prensa

The Murcian made a thorough analysis of his level after returning to the circuit, pointing out an aspect in which he still needs to step up.

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Alcaraz advances to the second round in Vienna.

What a welcoming match Carlos Alcaraz found upon his return to the courts. Facing the version of Karen Khachanov that he had to contend with in his debut at the ATP Vienna 2026 is no small feat: the Russian, as has been customary in their recent encounters, showed his best version to push the Murcian to the limit. That said, they both treated us to a true feast of spectacular shots, a match that turned into a delight for the spectators. Few opponents are tougher than the Russian to toughen you up and return you to the competitiveness of the circuit, especially after experiencing such a hard blow as the one he faced against Bergs in Shanghai.

It’s a promising start, but it certainly doesn't warrant ringing the bells in celebration. Carlitos is fully aware that the road to his best version is still long, which is normal after such a long absence. Perhaps after such high-level duels as the one experienced this afternoon in Vienna, diagnosing the current situation is more revealing than ever: discussing his current moment, about whether he feels he is heading in the right direction to regain the majestic version he found in Australia.

Alcaraz analyzes his level and discusses the aspect that impressed him in the match against Khachanov

Thus, the Murcian was asked in the post-match press conference about what levels of confidence he finds himself in after returning to the circuit at the US Open, a question that deserved a long and detailed response. "I think that I am heading in the right direction. I am taking the necessary steps, and I am very happy with all the work I have done recently. I showed that today; I played at a very good level. What I would like to recover, though, is the consistency I had at the beginning of the season: being able to play at a very high level consistently or finding the right solutions in each match.

That is the level we want to return to. I believe I am making the right steps in that direction. I can't put a precise percentage on what I'm lacking to be there, but I know I'm on the right path." Perhaps this phrase and the highlighted aspect gain more relevance than ever due to the script of the match against the Russian: it faded with three match points in his favor, wanting to close it out in a grand way... and then he gave up his serve in a game full of errors. While he managed to come back in time and ultimately win the tiebreak, Carlos wants to avoid those kinds of disconnections, especially in a match of such high voltage.

"It was an incredible duel, at a very high level. I was able to turn around the second set. I played well, and in the end, it all came down to a few points. That's how tennis is: you win an important point at a crucial moment, and everything can change, the situation turns around. We saw that again today. He was 6-5 and serving, and I managed to push the set to a tiebreak. There, at 5-4, I managed to hit a forehand passing shot that, honestly, I don't even know how I did it. In the end, that's what it's about: a couple of points make the difference. I'm happy with how I played in the tiebreak and how I handled those moments. Karen made it very difficult for me, so I’m satisfied with the victory."

Alcaraz discusses his physical condition for the end of the season and mentions Vienna in one aspect

The Murcian had the opportunity to provide a brief analysis of how he feels, physically and mentally, heading into a part of the season that has not always favored him, especially after years of Grand Slam titles. "I haven't played too many matches this year, which means that I'm probably not as mentally tired as if I had played the whole season. I will honestly try to use this as an advantage. I've missed tennis, and now I'm enjoying it. I'm motivated and ready to face the challenges that come my way. As for next year, I'm not going to start thinking about it for that reason. I will try to do the things I’ve done in previous years and prepare when the time is right."

The first stop is Vienna, a place he hasn't visited in five seasons. In 2021, he left behind names like Berrettini or Murray, and only Sascha Zverev was able to beat him. It's a tournament with peculiarities, eccentricities... and he spoke about them with a smile on his face: "I think that sometimes the music is too loud, I won’t lie to you (smiles). But it’s not bad to have music during the breaks; it’s part of the atmosphere, they want to create a specific environment, and I don’t think there are reasons to change it. Once you get used to it, you can concentrate on your thoughts, and it doesn't matter much what happens outside. I had a bit of a hard time getting used to it at first, but it's fine. As for the surface, I think it's a good surface overall."

Alcaraz discusses an aspect that could be key in the Davis Cup

Finally, in response to a question from our friends at Ubitennis, Alcaraz revealed that he is prepared to play whatever is necessary in the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna... even doubles. Has he discussed it with David Ferrer?: "In the current format of Davis, doubles play a crucial role. If you find yourself with a pair that is used to playing together, they are very dangerous; they know how to move and what to do. It's important, but we've also seen individual players do great things: I think of Sinner, who has won all the doubles matches he has played in recent years. I haven't been able to discuss it with David yet, but if that were the case, I’m ready and prepared to play it". We'll see if, if needed, Ferru would take the risk of breaking up the successful pairing of Pedro Martínez/Granollers from last year.

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