Carlos Alcaraz speaks with CNN after US Open win
Carlos Alcaraz speaks with CNN after US Open win.
Carlos Alcaraz speaks with CNN after US Open win.
Carlos Alcaraz speaks with CNN after US Open win.
TARRAGON, Spain — Just after the conclusion of the first round of the US Open at the Open Court de Barcelona, Carlos Alcaraz was asked for a description of his tennis career.
“I’m a three-time Grand Slam champion,” he replied, smiling. “And I don’t think you really need a description. I just play tennis the best.”
And the 33-year-old Spaniard is right.
In Barcelona, Spain, he became the first man in nearly 50 years to win all three of the Grand Slam events, a remarkable achievement, especially considering only Bjorn Borg did it three times during his career.
And yet, there are moments that Alcaraz still remembers as if it happened yesterday.
For example, it was late September. He had gone through a tough break in the second set of his quarterfinal match against Ivo Karlovic.
“I got tired. I had another tough break,” Alcaraz said. “But I never gave up.”
He came back — rallying from a set down to beat the 10th seed. Then, with the match seemingly over, Alcaraz called on help.
“I said, ‘Guys, help me. I need a change.’ I needed to have a break.”
His team gathered together.
“They took some towels and changed my clothes,” Alcaraz said. “I said, ‘Guys, I need some help.’ I needed to go to the locker room to wash. I said, ‘This is what I need you to do.’ There wasn’t a thing to stop me.”
When he came out, Karlovic was waiting for him. No one gave way and there was no need to.
And so, it was over. Alcaraz reached his first career Grand Slam
