With consistently impressive performances, Carlos Alcaraz reached the final four of the 2023 Roland Garros. Thus, in the semi-final, he was up against the likes of multi-time French Open winner, Novak Djokovic.
The two had a worthy contest in the initial couple of sets. However, after the second set found its conclusion, the Spaniard was seen suffering from cramps. He was not able to compete in the match with his full strength and even Djokovic had a saddening tinge in his eyes.
Jimmy Connors on Alcaraz & Djokovic:
“Novak is in great shape & he proved that. Carlos was cramping after set 2. To me, that’s kind of unacceptable. I don’t know if that’s on his team or nerves.. I know Novak puts a lot of pressure on you but you got to be ready to play 5 sets” pic.twitter.com/vB3fNA8SkQ
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 17, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz, who was the top seed for the clay-court Major, was in sheer pain and was not able to compete in the match properly. As the match was taking place at the Court Philippe-Chatrier, a few fans even started booing the eventual champion.
However, after what happened at Stade Roland Garros, fans and legends have started doubting Alcaraz’s physical fitness. Multi-time Grand Slam Champion Jimmy Connors has said that Spainard cramping after the second set is kind of ‘unacceptable’ for him.
“Novak is in great shape & he proved that. Carlos was cramping after set 2. To me, that’s kind of unacceptable. I don’t know if that’s on his team or his nerves. I know Novak puts a lot of pressure on you but you got to be ready to play 5 sets” said Jimmy Connors.
One way or another, Carlos Alcaraz’s struggle to keep up against 36-year-old Novak Djokovic was a point of concern for the Spaniard. He was in terrific form during the clay season and he had a great opportunity to grasp his second Grand Slam title, but that didn’t happen. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old is ready to kickstart his grass campaign at the Queens’ Club.
Carlos Alcaraz has yet to taste success at grass
Carlos Alcaraz recently announced that he will be participating in the Queen’s Club Championships ahead of Wimbledon. The main draw of the grass-court Major will commence on July 3. However, the 20-year-old will have a major test playing in London.
Consequently, it’s the first time in the last couple of years that Carlos Alcaraz has participated in a grass-court tournament other than Wimbledon. In 2021, he entered the grass-court Major as a wildcard, where he lost against Daniil Medvedev.
👋🏻🌱😍🫶🏻💥
📸 @QueensTennis pic.twitter.com/unHSQurQwL
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) June 17, 2023
On the other hand, in 2022, he was seeded fifth in the major. However, his campaign ended early as he was knocked out by Jannik Sinner in the fourth round. The 20-year-old has also admitted that making movements on grass is tougher than on other surfaces. Consequently, he has only played a total of six matches on grass, and two of them ended in defeat.