Carlos Alcaraz expressed his delight at reaching the second week of the 2024 Australian Open for the first time in his career.
Alcaraz withdrew from the 2023 Melbourne Major after failing to recover from an abdominal injury sustained at the Paris Masters. This year, he has made few mistakes in the tournament.
The Spaniard started the season with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Richard Gasquet, followed by a four-set loss to Lorenzo Sonego. In the third round, Alcaraz faced Xiang Junchen, and after winning the first set, the 18-year-old player withdrew due to injury.
He said this in an on-court interview after the contest. Alcaraz expressed his joy at being able to compete in Melbourne this year after being forced to miss the 2023 tournament.
„Yeah, it definitely feels good[to play in the second week of the Australian Open]. I missed this tournament last year, I was watching from my couch at home, and here I am in the second week. “I wanted to compete,” he said. .
Alcaraz, who has set a new career-best record Down Under (a third-round finish in 2022), hopes to continue his strong play and advance further into the tournament.
„It's the first time we've traveled to the second week here in Australia. It feels special. I've watched this tournament every year. We went into this year hoping to improve on our 2022 results and we've done that. „For now,“ he added, „I just hope I can keep moving forward, play better and keep going.“
Carlos Alcaraz: „I'm happy to finally play against young players''
![Carlos Alcaraz reached the fourth round of the 2024 Australian Open.](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/01/9335d-17057335026839-1920.jpg)
![Carlos Alcaraz reached the fourth round of the 2024 Australian Open.](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/01/9335d-17057335026839-1920.jpg)
The match between Carlos Alcaraz and Xiang Junchen was the first time world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz has faced a younger player on the ATP Tour.
Mr. Shang was impressed by the following: australian open. He defeated American Mackenzie McDonald in five sets in the opening match and fought back from a set down to defeat Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal.
Coach Alcaraz wished Xiang a speedy recovery and said he was happy to finally play against a player younger than himself, even if the match didn't end as expected.
„This is not something anyone wants to move on to. First of all, I want to wish him a speedy recovery. He's a great player. He's had an incredible start here (Australian Open). „I was playing a great game, and I was looking forward to being in this game,“ he said.
„Tennis is growing and more young players are coming up. So I think it's great for tennis and for people to see young players playing on this stage. So, finally… I'm happy to play against young players,'' added the Spaniard.
Alcaraz, whose place in the quarterfinals is at stake, will be his next opponent. Miomir Kecmanovic.
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