French Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz 'still feels weird' and has ‘low expectations' of Roland-Garros glory due to injury
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Published 26/05/2024 at 17:22 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that his French Open title hopes are up in the air despite hammering J.J. Wolf in the first round on Sunday. Alcaraz did not have much preparation heading into the tournament because of a forearm injury and said after his opener that he is "afraid to hit every forehand" due to the issue.
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Carlos Alcaraz says he has "low expectations" he can add the French Open title to his Grand Slam haul due to a forearm injury he has been nursing.
The world No. 3 began his 2024 Roland-Garros campaign with a routine 6-1 6-2 6-1 victory against American J.J.Wolf on Sunday, as he bids to go one step further than his semi-final finish 12 months ago.
Alcaraz’s French Open preparations have been hugely disrupted by the arm injury he suffered in April at the Monte-Carlo Masters. He skipped the Barcelona Open before reaggravating the issue in a quarter-final defeat at the Madrid Open.
Although he wore a protective sleeve during his tournament opener in Paris on Sunday, he insisted that his injury has “fully recovered”, but admitted he still does not feel right despite his dominant display.
“I think the arm is 100%. I’m still feeling weird or afraid to hit every forehand,” the two-time major champion said in his post-match press conference.
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“It's still in my mind, but I didn't feel anything after the match, I didn't feel anything, which is really, really good for me. So I can say it's fully recovered.
“Everybody told me that I must go to 100% on every forehand, but I don't feel as comfortable as before, you know, just to play every forehand and forget my forearm.
“I'm trying to hit as many forehand [shots] as I can 100%, but there are a few of them that I want to, you know, to stay easy, let's say.”
Despite experiencing no issues with his forearm during his first-round match as he eases his way back into Grand slam action, the 21-year-old has little confidence that he can challenge for the title.
“Honestly, I'm with low expectations coming into this tournament,” Alcaraz revealed.
“After the practice week, after this first round, well, the confidence is higher. My expectations probably got higher after today's match, but let's see.
“You know, all I can say is I'm feeling great on the court. I feel amazing in this match, so hopefully keep going.”
No matter what happens for Alcaraz in Paris, the Wimbledon champion is set to play in the French capital again this summer when he pairs up with Rafael Nadal at the Olympic Games.
Nadal is preparing to take on Alexander Zverev in a blockbuster first-round clash at the French Open on Monday as he begins his bid for a record-extending 15th title.
Nadal has been struggling himself with injuries over the last two seasons, but Alcaraz said "if everything goes well, we are going to play doubles together here.”
You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
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