Carlos Alcaraz has shown his fighting spirit yet again, advancing to the fourth round of the 2024 Shanghai Masters. But the Spanish powerhouse admitted, in a candid moment, that this victory didn’t come without a price. After dispatching home player Wu Yibing, Alcaraz opened up about dealing with physical pain—a reality of his intense, back-to-back tournament schedule.
“Well, I’m feeling great,” Alcaraz assured fans, though he admitted to experiencing “some pain in some part of the body.” It’s nothing new for the 21-year-old, who is accustomed to the aches and strains that come with top-level tennis, but this time, it’s no minor inconvenience. Alcaraz arrived in Shanghai just days after triumphing in the China Open in Beijing, a title that has added another accolade to his growing collection yet intensified the strain on his body.
His situation is quite different from last year, when he arrived in Shanghai well-rested after a semi-final exit to Jannik Sinner in Beijing. But this season, both China Open finalists—Alcaraz and Sinner—had to jump into the Shanghai Masters with only a sliver of recovery time. Fortunately, tournament organizers showed some understanding, allowing them to delay their initial matches. Now both young stars are in the fourth round, yet the toll of non-stop tennis has clearly weighed heavier on some.
While Sinner has voiced his own exhaustion, Alcaraz acknowledged the subtle differences in their playing styles, which could explain why his competitor may feel the strain more intensely. “I think we both have different styles on the court,” Alcaraz noted, adding that his recent matches haven’t been as grueling physically compared to Sinner’s high-energy, long-rally style.
Relieved to finally get a day off, Alcaraz is grateful for the chance to recuperate fully before his next showdown. “I’m really happy to have a day off to recover, to practice a little bit, and take it easy to be ready for the next round,” he shared, looking visibly more relaxed. Alcaraz’s next challenge will be against either Ugo Humbert or Gael Monfils, both of whom still need to complete their own third-round clash. This extra rest could be a game-changer for the Spaniard, giving him a significant edge.
As he continues his quest for another Masters 1000 title, Alcaraz has shown that his mental and physical resilience are just as impressive as his skills on the court. The fourth round promises even more thrilling moments, with Alcaraz poised to make the most of his recovery time and keep pushing forward despite the physical toll. Tennis fans, brace yourselves: the battle in Shanghai is only heating up, and Alcaraz is ready to power through every challenge thrown his way!
