By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday May 22, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz blasted past Juan Ignacio Londero to open accounts at RG22 with intent.
Photo Source: Getty
In case you have not heard – or noticed. There is something about Carlos Alcaraz.
The 19-year-old, tennis’ equivalent to the hottest thing since sliced break, started his second appearance at Roland-Garros with a jaw-dropping victory over Argentinian veteran Juan Ignacio Londero, 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.
“It was difficult at the beginning, but it's always special to play in such a great stadium, a great court,” Alcaraz told the press. “I'm really happy with the performance in my first match in Philippe Chatrier, and hope to play more matches in this court.”
The No.6 seed’s second time around the block in Paris could end up being decidedly different than his first.
Last year, as a wet-behind-the-ears 18-year-old, Alcaraz won two matches before bowing out in the third round, losing to Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets. 52 years later it is virtually impossible to imagine Alcaraz losing a match so easily.
On Sunday Alcaraz – who says he prefers to be called Charlie or Carlitos – produced some electric tennis to take out Londero with ease. He converted six of 12 break points and cracked 22 winners to just 10 for Londero.
As good as he is now, and as far as he’s come in 52 weeks – he was ranked 97 here in Paris last year – the 19-year-old says the key to his rise is staying humble and trying to improve his game every day.
“I always say that you have to improve every day if you are the best player in the world. Not in my case,” he said. :But for example, Rafa says every day that he always improve every day. I would say I have to improve everything a little bit. You can improve everything every day, you know. And I would say everything. I have to improve everything.”
One can only imagine how good he will be a year from now, or even in his second-round match with compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas…