NEW DELHI: Currently world number three from Spain, Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the last 16 of the Olympic Games tennis tournament on Monday after overcoming an injury scare to defeat Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.
The match ended with a score of 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) in Alcaraz’s favour, keeping him on track for a potential gold medal to add to his impressive collection of four Grand Slam titles.
In the post-match interview, Alcaraz expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I was very happy to get through in two sets. I played much better in the first set than I did in the second.” He acknowledged that his opponent raised his level in the second set, making it a closer contest.
During the latter stages of the second set, Alcaraz experienced a concerning moment when he had to leave the court to receive treatment on his right leg. Despite this setback, he managed to save a set point and ultimately secure the victory.
Regarding the leg issue, Alcaraz downplayed its significance, remarking, “The leg isn’t a problem, it’s a tennis player’s life, it’s just a niggle.” His nonchalant attitude towards the injury suggests that he does not consider it a major concern.
At 21 years old, Alcaraz has already achieved remarkable success, having won the prestigious French Open and Wimbledon titles. In addition to his singles campaign at the Olympics, he is also competing in the men’s doubles event alongside his compatriot, Rafael Nadal.
In the next round of the singles tournament, Alcaraz will face Roman Safiullina Russian player competing as a neutral athlete due to the ongoing sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Alcaraz’s performance thus far in the Olympic Games has been impressive, showcasing his resilience and determination to overcome challenges. His ability to shrug off the injury scare and secure a hard-fought victory against Griekspoor demonstrates his mental toughness and commitment to his craft.
All eyes will be on the young Spaniard to see if he can maintain his form and potentially add an Olympic gold medal to his already impressive collection of accolades.
The match ended with a score of 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) in Alcaraz’s favour, keeping him on track for a potential gold medal to add to his impressive collection of four Grand Slam titles.
In the post-match interview, Alcaraz expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I was very happy to get through in two sets. I played much better in the first set than I did in the second.” He acknowledged that his opponent raised his level in the second set, making it a closer contest.
During the latter stages of the second set, Alcaraz experienced a concerning moment when he had to leave the court to receive treatment on his right leg. Despite this setback, he managed to save a set point and ultimately secure the victory.
Regarding the leg issue, Alcaraz downplayed its significance, remarking, “The leg isn’t a problem, it’s a tennis player’s life, it’s just a niggle.” His nonchalant attitude towards the injury suggests that he does not consider it a major concern.
At 21 years old, Alcaraz has already achieved remarkable success, having won the prestigious French Open and Wimbledon titles. In addition to his singles campaign at the Olympics, he is also competing in the men’s doubles event alongside his compatriot, Rafael Nadal.
In the next round of the singles tournament, Alcaraz will face Roman Safiullina Russian player competing as a neutral athlete due to the ongoing sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Alcaraz’s performance thus far in the Olympic Games has been impressive, showcasing his resilience and determination to overcome challenges. His ability to shrug off the injury scare and secure a hard-fought victory against Griekspoor demonstrates his mental toughness and commitment to his craft.
All eyes will be on the young Spaniard to see if he can maintain his form and potentially add an Olympic gold medal to his already impressive collection of accolades.
