ATP Buenos Aires: Carlos Alcaraz - "Finals are not played, they are won"
Carlos Alcaraz just reached the final at the ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires on his return to the ATP tour. The 19-year-old goes into this with a big chest.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Feb 19, 2023, 11:46 am
From a distance, just looking at the results, you could really see how a player picks up speed, taking Carlos Alcaraz as an example in Buenos Aires. The second in the world rankings still had a hard time against Laslo Djere, but in the quarterfinals and semifinals it was a more than convincing two-set win over Dusan Lajovic and most recently compatriot Bernape Zapata Miralles.
The chest with which the 19-year-old goes into the clash with Cameron Norrie, who fought his way into the final at the bottom of the tableau, is correspondingly broad. A game in which he will have to be "at a high level", as Alcaraz emphasized after his semi-final success: "I have to play at my best level to beat him: I have to be very aggressive, try to impose my game on him" , explained the 19-year-old.
Alcaraz and his final philosophy
However, the youngster goes into finals with his very own philosophy, as Alcaraz explained: "I'm a very competitive player and I approach finals with the following philosophy: finals are not played, they are won. I keep that in the back of my mind. I have to do everything I mustn't allow myself to be infected by the nervousness of a final," said the second in the world rankings.
In addition, the youngster has improved on bringing games really solidly across the finish line - and not trying to try something with a comfortable lead in the back: "That's something I've improved: If I have the game under control, think my mind on going on like this, not doing anything new or inventing anything. I'm just trying to keep going at the level I'm playing at right now," Alcaraz explained.
For the 19-year-old, Buenos Aires is about winning the seventh title in his career. The high-flyer was successful for the first time at the ATP 250 event in Umag (2021), and the Spaniard won five titles in the previous season. The biggest of them at the US Open in New York City. And South America also has an important place in the heart of the second in the world rankings: Alcaraz celebrated his first title win at ATP 500 level there in Rio de Janeiro last year. And will try to add another next week. Best of all, the title win in Buenos Aires in the luggage.