By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday June 17, 2024
Just one week removed from winning his third major title at Roland-Garros, Carlos Alcaraz is locked and loaded for the grass.
The 21-year-old, who will face Francisco Cerundolo in first-round action at Queen’s Club on Tuesday, says he’s feeling comfortable on the grass after a 2023 season that saw him win all 12 matches he played on the surface.
“I have more matches in my bank on grass and now with the great run I had last year at Queen’s and Wimbledon, I know a little bit on how to play and understand the game a little bit on grass,” Alcaraz said in his pre-tournament press conference in London, according to the ATP.
The Spaniard admits that he’ll need some time to get his feet underneath him after a taxing run to his maiden title on the terre battue of Paris.
“I am more mature playing on this surface,” he said. “The first practice I have done here, my movement wasn’t as good as last year but it is a slow process, so I have to be really focused in every practice and every match.”
Second-ranked Alcaraz has been installed as the oddsmakers favorite for Wimbledon, with his rival Jannik Sinner just a smidge behind him, and Novak Djokovic – whose status remins uncertain after undergoing knee surgery last week – third.
Alcaraz is 16-2 lifetime on the surface – he will bid to become the ninth player to win back-to-back titles in tournament history. The Spaniard is 26-4 on the season, as he embarks on a busy section of the season that will include Wimbledon, the Paris Olympics and the US Open.
“Right now my focus is on the grass and then after that, my mind will be on clay again to be at my best for the Olympics,” he said.