‘His season is spectacular’ - Alex Corretja insists Carlos Alcaraz’s form is ‘not worrying’ despite dip in Asia events
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 12/10/2023 at 20:06 GMT
Alex Corretja believes there is “nothing worrying” about Carlos Alcaraz’s rocky form on the Asian tour despite losses to Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov. The Spaniard has had another “spectacular season” and even though his chances of reclaiming the world No. 1 spot have dipped, the 20-year-old can take learnings from from a difficult period.
Alcaraz says he has 'lost a lot of opportunities' to return to No. 1 after Dimitrov loss
Carlos Alcaraz has suffered a dip in form during the Asian swing due to a long season that has been “almost impossible” to beat, says Alex Corretja.
The Wimbledon champion was eliminated by eventual China Open winner Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, before falling in the third round of the Shanghai Masters to Grigor Dimitrov.
Despite a disappointing end to another fantastic year for the 20-year-old, Eurosport expert Corretja does not believe Alcaraz’s form is a concern as he chases the world No. 1 spot.
“Alcaraz's Asian tour is not worrying. I don't give it any importance,” he said. “Every tournament, every week, every game is a learning experience for Alcaraz, his season is being spectacular. Better almost impossible. Carlos there will come a time when he will have to select tournaments like [Novak] Djokovic.
“We are used to times when [Rafael] Nadal, Djokovic and [Roger] Federer reached the Masters 1000 [events] and won them as if nothing had happened, but it is more normal for him to make a semi-final against Sinner and then be surprised by Dimitrov.
“Maintaining 100% in the 80 games he plays a year is impossible.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/10/11/3801788-77325688-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Dimitrov beats Alcaraz to reach quarter-finals in Shanghai
On how Alcaraz can continue to compete at the very top level, Corretja added: “One of the keys for Alcaraz is to select the calendar well, due to travel, training, and changes in schedules and hotels."
Alcaraz’s 7-5 2-6 4-6 defeat to Dimitrov in the last 16 of the Shanghai Open was another missed opportunity as the Spaniard looks to reclaim his world No. 1 spot.
Djokovic currently holds the ranking after his US Open win, but Alcaraz wants to win the honour back before the turn of the year.
Despite the setback, Corretja thinks his loss to the Bulgarian in Shanghai could be a positive in the long run.
“Dimitrov plays tennis a little different from what they are used to now. He changes the heights, with the backhand he can vary you with the slice, he has a good serve,” the two-time French Open finalist said.
“It is a much more varied tennis than what Carlitos is used to, I don't know if that is what has surprised him.
“If Alcaraz plays at his best level, he wins 95% of the games, except when they play among the very good players at the best level. And yet there is always one of them who believes that he has not played at his best level.
“It is good for Alcaraz to understand when he is not at his best level how he can beat players who vary him as Dimitrov may have done.”
- - -
Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 Australian Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement