Alcaraz says mental strength will be key as he begins US Open title defence

Carlos Alcaraz says he is ready to return to Grand Slam tennis at the US Open, despite doubts from several high-profile figures about whether he can cope with the physical demands of best-of-five-set matches following his injury lay-off.

The defending champion will begin his campaign against Roman Safiullin in New York, having spent recent weeks testing his body through long and intense training sessions.

“I know that coming to the US Open, with best-of-five-set matches, is something really difficult. But my team and I think I’m ready,” declared Alcaraz.

The 23-year-old said returning to the season’s final Grand Slam had been a difficult decision, but believes he had done everything possible to prepare properly, both physically and mentally.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I did everything I needed to do to be ready.

“I tried to do things as well as possible, on and off the court, to feel ready. In particular, I did long, very intense training sessions to see how my body would react.”

Alcaraz said the response from his body during those sessions gave him and his team the confidence to travel to New York.

“After those long days of work, we saw that everything was going well and that my body was responding correctly. So we thought it was the right time to come back.

“And I couldn’t dream of a better tournament than the US Open to make my return, to feel the love of the public again and to rediscover the warm welcome that people here have always given me.”

The Spaniard described the rehabilitation period as a demanding experience, particularly during the opening month when he was unable to use his right arm.

“The first month was kind of difficult for me, because I couldn’t do anything with my right arm. It was tough,” he revealed.

However, Alcaraz also said the enforced break allowed him to spend valuable time with his family and friends. His uncertainty increased when he began practising again, as he did not know whether he would be fit to play in Cincinnati or the US Open, or whether he would miss the entire American swing.

“At the same time, I enjoyed my time. I enjoyed my time with family, with friends, staying at home.

“Once I started to practise a little bit, I didn’t know when I was going to start. Those thoughts are really difficult to deal with, because I didn’t know if I was going to be ready for Cincinnati, for US Open, or [if I was] going to miss the whole American swing.”

Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, was also asked whether he would alter his game to protect his wrist. He said there had been no changes to his technique, movement or intended style of play, stressing that he wanted to feel like himself on court.

“I have been doing the same things. I didn’t change anything about technique, [about] movement, about the way that I’m going to play,” added the seven-time Grand Slam winner.

“I just wanted to feel like I’m going to be myself. And I think that’s important.”

He said his immediate priority was to regain the intensity of competitive tennis by practising with the leading players in the tournament.

“I’m just coming here with kind of that similar feeling of I need competition. I need to come here to practise with these guys, to feel the competition once again, and this is really testing.”

Alcaraz believes the most significant challenge now is psychological rather than physical, with fear of another problem something he must control.

“I’m feeling great, and just I think that injury helped me a lot to know right now that it’s all in my head. I’ve got to trust my team, I’ve got to trust my people that tell me it’s going to be fine.

“So I just have to go 100 per cent, and right now I think with the practice I have made so far, it’s been all good. So trying to stay away from that fear, and I’m playing normal.”

The extent of his readiness will be tested when he faces Roman Safiullin in his opening match as he starts his defence of the US Open title.