Alcaraz after complicated 2026: "I'm on the right track"

Back to old strength

The year 2026 was not an easy one for the Spaniard. For months, he suffered from a wrist injury, which brought many strenuous hours of rehabilitation. From a sporting perspective, missing the French Open and Wimbledon was particularly painful. As a result, Alcaraz also dropped to second place in the world rankings.

He is satisfied with his current physical condition and the healing process, and shows himself to be aggressive: "I'm on the right track. I believe I'm taking the right steps. That's why I'm simply happy with everything I've done lately."

He and Karen Khachanov offered the Viennese audience many long, spectacular rallies. In several phases of the match, one could recognize the "old Alcaraz" from before the injury again: "You could see that today. I think I just played great tennis today. What I really wanted to achieve is the consistency I had at the beginning of the year. To play such great tennis or find solutions in every match. That's the level I want to reach again, and I believe I'm taking the right steps."

Competitive break as an advantage?

Because the Spaniard suffered from his injury for over four months, his season is considerably shorter than that of his competitors. They have played numerous tournaments around the world during the summer months and, consequently, have had to endure a lot of travel.

The future world number one, Alexander Zverev, already stated that the air was out at least since the Shanghai tournament two weeks ago.

Alcaraz is very much aware of this fact: "It means that mentally, I'm probably not as exhausted as I would be if I had played the whole season. I'll try to use that as an advantage for myself, to be honest."

Is the Stadthalle too loud? "I don't want to lie"

With the thrilling match and eventful rallies, Alcaraz and Khachanov truly made the Wiener Stadthalle roar for the first time this week. Even during breaks, over 100 decibels were measured.

In combination with the music, this can probably distract a player: "I would say it (the music) is a bit too loud. I don't want to lie," explains the 23-year-old, who nevertheless has understanding for the ecstasy: "It's a changeover. I would say this time also belongs to the fans. If they want to keep the music, if they like the song or music or whatever, then it's their time too."

"Once you get used to it, you focus on your own thoughts, on what's going on in your own head, and it doesn't matter what's happening outside. So, at some point, I just got used to it, and it didn't bother me," summarizes the tournament's number two.

Alcaraz is also satisfied with the conditions and the court surface in the Stadthalle. Only with the equipment, which Zverev also criticized, Alcaraz still has to get used to: "The balls are, honestly, super fluffy. Sometimes it's really difficult to generate power."