Cinch Championships 2023: Carlos Alcaraz prepares for his first grass court title
Posted : 19 June 2023
Carlos Alcaraz, the world No.2, is eagerly preparing for his debut at the cinch Championships, where he leads a lineup of top ATP players.
Despite being scheduled to participate last year, the 20-year-old had to withdraw due to injury. Now, after securing four additional ATP trophies and a Grand Slam title, Alcaraz is ready to leave his mark on this year's tournament and vie for his first grass court title.
Alcaraz recently arrived at the Queen's Club and had his first practice session on grass. Adapting to the surface has been a challenge as he lacked grass courts back home, but he expressed satisfaction with his practice at the venue.
Coming off a semifinal appearance at Roland Garros, the Spaniard has had a quick turnaround from clay to grass in West Kensington.
Despite his dominance on hard and clay courts, Alcaraz has limited experience on grass, having played only six matches on the surface, all at Wimbledon.
However, given his strong performances this year, it is expected that he will transition smoothly to the historic grass courts at Queen's Club. Alcaraz appreciates the opportunity to play more aggressively on grass and go to the net frequently, which suits his natural style of play.
The challenges of playing on grass lie in the need for careful and precise movement, which Alcaraz acknowledges. Unlike some players who slide on grass, he needs to be more mindful of his footwork. The constant movement on grass can be more tiring compared to other surfaces, requiring specific preparation.
Alcaraz enters the tournament as the top seed and will face rising French star Arthur Fils in a highly anticipated first-round match on Tuesday. Fils has been enjoying a breakthrough season, having recently won his first ATP title in Lyon.
The cinch Championships boast a strong field of tennis talent, including world No.6 Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz, the 2022 Rothesay International Eastbourne champion, and Britain's No.1 player, Cam Norrie.
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