Carlos Alcaraz has arrived in New York for the US Open 2024. He’s gunning to win his third straight Major title following his victories at French Open and Wimbledon in recent months. 

He rose to global superstardom following his maiden Grand Slam triumph here two years ago.Alcaraz’s build-up to the US Open has been a little disappointing this time. 

He pulled out of the Canadian Open as he needed time to recover after the Paris Olympics. He then participated in the Cincinnati Open, where he made the final last year.

The Spaniard received a bye into the second round, where he faced Gael Monfils and lost 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. 

He suffered an early exit before winning Wimbledon as well, so one can excuse this loss.

Alcaraz has established himself as the top contender to win every tournament that he enters. 

As he begins his quest for a second US Open title, here’s a look at what could impede him from doing the same:

The court speed could play an important role in determining the outcome of Alcaraz’s matches. While he’s had good results on indoor hardcourts, including a semifinal at the ATP Finals, he’s yet to win a title under those conditions. The fast conditions do interfere with his natural rhythm of playing.

Outdoor hardcourts aren’t generally super-fast, and Alcaraz has tasted the most success at the Indian Wells Masters, which leans towards the slower side. At the Cincinnati Open, where the conditions were quicker, he found it tough to impose himself.

The Spaniard partly attributed the loss to the same, though he focused more on his poor display of tennis in crucial moments. The court speed at this year’s US Open is calibrated to be medium fast. However, it’s only once players begin to compete that the picture will be clearer.

Alcaraz is a former US Open champion, so he’s no stranger to playing in these conditions. However, the in-form Jannik Sinner, and a motivated Djokovic, both capable of playing great tennis in fast conditions, could put the Spaniard in a spot of bother if they cross paths in New York.

Alcaraz has handled the burden of expectations on him quite maturely despite being just 21 years of age. He has already staged plenty of comebacks in his young career, including from two sets to one down to win the French Open this year. However, he’s only human after all, and a young adult.

Alcaraz was quite heartbroken following his loss to Djokovic in the final of the Paris Olympics. He was desperate to claim the gold medal, and when that didn’t happen, he felt that he let down a lot of people.

Already a four-time Major champion, and having won the last two Majors as well, Alcaraz is expected to continue his impressive streak in New York. However, there’s a possibility that he could feel the heat once again and buckle under pressure.

These high-stakes situations have often gotten the better of players far more accomplished than Alcaraz, especially at the US Open. Serena Williams was on course to complete the Calendar Year Grand Slam in 2015 and was riding a 33-match winning streak at the Majors.

However, Williams was stunned by the unheralded Roberta Vinci in the semifinals in New York. Djokovic was on the cusp of accomplishing the same in 2021. He swept the first three Majors that year and reached the final of the US Open, where he lost to Daniil Medvedev. One cannot predict when nerves will get the better of someone, and Alcaraz could succumb to them as well.

Following the end of his captivating rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic has found a worthy successor in Alcaraz. Their head-to-head currently stands at 4-3, and it tilts in the Serb’s favor.

Djokovic has also won three of their last four matches, including both of their encounters on hard courts. Alcaraz outplayed his older rival in the Wimbledon final this year but played second fiddle to him at the Olympics after that.

Djokovic also saved a championship point when they battled in the final of the Cincinnati Open last year. By no means this is a one-sided rivalry but the Serb appears to have momentum on his side at present. Alcaraz could find it tough to beat the 24-time Major champion if he’s in the zone at the US Open.

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Source: USA Today