Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish tennis sensation, is back on the practice court, showing a significant alteration in his game. Last week, Alcaraz was earnestly hoping to climb higher in the ATP rankings through his performance in Doha. However, the talented Spaniard, who had recently clinched the title in Rotterdam, was halted by Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals in Qatar.
Alcaraz, a former world number 1, had a promising start in the match before a sudden dip in his performance during the latter part of the first set allowed Lehecka to gain an upper hand. Despite this initial setback, the four-time Grand Slam champion showcased his resilience, fighting back in the second set, levelling the game, and even managing a break in the third set.
The 21-year-old prodigy from Murcia was on the verge of extending his lead to 5-2, but a sudden shift in momentum saw his game falter as the Czech ace went on a four-game winning streak, marking the most significant victory of his career till date. Despite Lehecka’s commendable performance in the latter part of the match, Carlos Alcaraz’s fluctuating gameplay, a characteristic trait, played a role in his defeat.
Alcaraz, currently ranked world number 3, is phenomenally talented and has achieved significant milestones for his age. However, he needs to work on his consistency to stand a chance against Jannik Sinner in future competitions.
The young tennis star has resumed his practice sessions. A video released recently showcases Alcaraz using a new type of tennis strings, purportedly to enhance his game in the upcoming tournaments.
Alcaraz is set to leave for Puerto Rico this Thursday, where an exhibition match against American ace Frances Tiafoe is lined up for March 2nd. Following this, Alcaraz’s focus will shift towards the Indian Wells Masters 1000, a tournament where he has delivered exceptional performances, winning the title in the last two editions.
The first two Masters 1000 of the season – Indian Wells and Miami – will prove crucial for Alcaraz’s ambitions. He needs to garner as many points as possible in these tournaments to surpass Sascha Zverev and inch closer to his arch-rival Sinner before making a return to action.
