Spanish tennis star, Carlos Alcaraz, has vowed to give his best as he prepares to defend his US Open title despite returning to competitive singles after a lengthy injury layoff.
The 23-year-old, who has won seven Grand Slam titles, has not played a competitive singles match since suffering a wrist injury in Barcelona in April.
The injury forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Alcaraz had limited preparation ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year, with a mixed-doubles appearance alongside Serena Williams providing some match practice.
However, the second seed said he remains confident in his fitness and readiness.
“I’m feeling great, and I’ve got to trust my team that tell me it’s gonna be fine.
“So I just have to go 100% and right now I think with the practice I have made so far, it’s been all good. So I’m trying to stay away from that fear, and I’m playing normal.”
There had been concerns that Alcaraz might need to adjust his playing style or technique to prevent a recurrence of his wrist problem.
British player Jack Draper, for instance, tried modifying his serve while dealing with injury issues but continues to remain sidelined.
Alcaraz, however, insisted he has made no major changes to his approach.
“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. I just wanted to feel like I’m going to be myself.”
Despite his absence from competitive tennis, Alcaraz remained in the spotlight during the summer.
He was given the honour of carrying the World Cup trophy onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium before Spain’s victory over Argentina.
Recalling the occasion, he described it as a memorable moment in his life.
“For me it was a lifetime experience, seeing Spain winning the World Cup,” he said.
“Louis Vuitton had the trunks that was carrying the trophy, so they told me that I’m down to do it. And, I mean, it was a lifetime experience for me, like holding the trophy in the ceremony, to give it to them, you know, on the field. So it was a great experience.”
Alcaraz, seeded second at the tournament, will begin his US Open title defence against Russia’s Roman Safiullin, who is ranked 98th in the world.
