Carlos Alcaraz wants to be the king of the Argentina Open: ‘controlled nerves’ and the secret to playing and winning the finals

Carlos Alcaraz will play this Sunday at Lawn tennis in Buenos Aires the ninth final of his career at the highest levels of world tennis. The Spaniard, number two in the world and darling of the Open Argentina, have won six of their eight crucial games they have played in the past (all between 2021 and 2022). And after beating his compatriot Bernabe Zapata Miralles for a double 6-2 in the semifinals of the Buenos Aires match, He gave a reflection that could explain this very high effectiveness.

“I am a very competitive player and for me the finals are not played, they are won,” he assured shortly after securing a place in the title duel of the tournament in Buenos Aires, in which he will face the Briton Cameron Noriesecond suit.

“The finals will make you nervous, but I think controlled nerves are a good thing. Because they keep you focused and don’t make you completely distracted. I have clear ideas: I have to go for everything. I can’t let the nerves of the final restrict me , they don’t let go of my arm or enjoy or be myself on the field. I know that the beginnings are very important, I have to quickly release that tension of playing the ending and enjoying it”, explained the Murciano.

Carlitos has gone from less to more since making his debut in Buenos Aires, winning in three sets against the Serbian Laslo Djere. And against Zapata Miralles he played, as he himself declared, his best match of the tournament, which is the first for him in a complicated start to 2023 due to an injury to his right leg that put him out of Australia. And although he does not surprise the Argentine public, enthusiastic about his talent, to see him play at the highest level, he said he was amazed.

“I didn’t expect to play at this level in my first tournament of the year. It’s true that before coming to Buenos Aires I trained very well, played great sets and felt very confident. But the competition is different, I thought I would play worse than what I’m doing,” he confessed.

The Spaniard, who aroused several applauses in the duel against his compatriot, when he dared to throw a drop or reach a ball that seemed unreachable, acknowledged that he felt in control of the match from the start.

“When I was in the standings and felt in control, I maintained a very high level and didn’t allow Bernabé to pick up his pace and play at his best level,” he analysed.

And while he’s acknowledged that he enjoys casting “spells” on the field, over the years he’s learned to “control himself.”

“Before, I abused resources. When I saw that the game was very favorable, I started doing different things and this often led me to make more mistakes than necessary. And in the end it put me to the test. Worse still, I improved a lot in this aspect. When I have the game under control, in my head is to continue playing well, without trying anything new or something strange. I try to always be focused that way,” he said.

And he anticipated that this Sunday’s title challenge will be a very tough battle. “Cameron is a great player, a great warrior. I like playing with him. I’ll have to do my best to have a chance to beat him, because every point will be a battle. Basically I play my game, be very aggressive, like I’m doing me. And having fun, because it’s not every day that I play in a final and, in the end, having fun is how I play my best tennis.”

Norrie on the final: “These are the matches I want to play”

Cameron Norie he will be the other actor in the final of the Argentina Open 2023. Second favorite of the competition, the world number 12 will be looking for his fifth title, the second on brick dust. And although his bond with our country is very strong (he’s a fan of it). Cougars and his coach and physio are Argentinian), he knows he will be a “visitor” in the final clash.

“I’m sure people will encourage Charlie. They filled the stadium in every match and are the big crowd favorites,” commented the Briton. And he joked: “Maybe I can bring some friends from Facu (Lugones)their coach) to cheer me on and shout “Come on, chicken”. I’d like to hear it.”

However, it will not be a new situation for Norrie, who ended the Peruvian’s dream week in the semifinals John Paul Varillas, revelation of the tournament. Because he was in charge of eliminating two young Argentine talents in the first rounds: Facundo Diaz Acostain eighth notes and Thomas EtcheverryIn the rooms.

“I really enjoyed playing with the Argentines. People gave him a special picture, the whistling between serves is not something I’ve experienced before, it was fantastic, although maybe I wouldn’t think so if I’d lost games. It’s a another factor within the match,” he commented.

And he added: “It’s great to see so many people coming to watch the matches and cheer, even with the cold weather these days. It’s one of the most effusive crowds I’ve seen in a tournament of this category. I feel fantastic to have come to play this tournament and I’m happy to be able to show people what I can do and play my best tennis here.”

What do you expect from the final against Alcaraz? “It will be tough. I played with Charlie a couple of times and the truth is that I like having him up front in the final. Because he is a great player who continues to grow. And these are the matches I want to play and the opponents I want to face in the final.”