Confident Alcaraz reveals his greatest strength; putting pressure on the opponent with every shot

The Spaniard also said he’s fully recovered from the thigh injury that affected him in Rio

Antoine Couvercelle/Panoramic

March 12, 2023

Anyone who has seen Carlos Alcaraz play over the last two years will know the impact he’s had on the Tour, his win at the US Open last September making him the youngest man ever to become world No 1.

The Spaniard’s honesty when speaking to the media makes him even more approachable and the confidence of the 19-year-old is such that he’s not worried about hiding away the reasons for his success.

Alcaraz is good at every element of the game; that much is obvious. But after streaking into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Thanasi Kokkinakis on Saturday, the Spaniard not only showed he’s fully fit again after injury, he also explained his greatest strength.

“Well, I would say the pressure that I put on the opponent in every shot,” he told reporters in Indian Wells. “Returning, for example, I push the opponent to a limit, trying to go for it in every shot. I would say that’s the most dangerous part of my game that I would say the opponents feel that the pressure in every shot.

“I move well. I would say I’m fast and reach every ball, or I try. But the pressure I put in every shot to opponent, I would say that.”

Good start at Indian Wells! 🙌🏻 Back in a place that's special in my career!
See you in R3! ❤️🌴

📸 @BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/ZW3p90XptX
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) March 12, 2023

Alcaraz: “I’m fully recovered from injury”

Alcaraz’s participation in Indian Wells was in doubt for a while after he played the final of the Rio Open with his thigh heavily strapped and his movement clearly restricted.

But there was no sign of any problem against Kokkinakis and the world No 2 – who could regain the No 1 ranking if he wins the title in the absence of Novak Djokovic – looks full of confidence as he plays Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.

“I recovered really well,” he said. “It seems today that I moved really well. I felt really comfortable playing here. Well, more movement here. So I think I’m ready and totally recovered from the injury.”