Carlos Alcaraz defies early struggles to advance at US Open but slams ATP’s punishing schedule
Carlos Alcaraz overcame a shaky start to power past Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in a gripping second-round US Open clash, extending his hunt for a third Flushing Meadows crown.
The 23-year-old Spaniard, sidelined for months by a wrist injury, demonstrated resilience and determination as he battled back after dropping the opening set. Alcaraz’s commanding response included a flawless second set bagel in just 33 minutes, showcasing his return to top form amid ongoing recovery.
Despite the win, Alcaraz expressed frustration over the length of the match. “Honestly, I would have liked it to be quick,” he admitted during his post-match press conference. “But playing four sets was really beneficial… to test my physical endurance, to see how my body reacted, how I felt, and how I will feel tomorrow.” He acknowledged the challenge of competing as the second match on the evening but remained positive about his fitness, stating, “I trained normally, hitting my forehand with a lot of freedom and without thinking about my wrist… I feel great. There’s no reason to be afraid or not to play normally.”
Alcaraz’s comments come amid rising concerns over the ATP Tour’s relentless calendar that has driven numerous players into injury layoffs. Big names like Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune remain sidelined with knee and Achilles issues respectively, highlighting the physical toll of a packed season. Reflecting on his own extended absence, Alcaraz vowed to adopt a more cautious approach moving forward. “In the future, I will take breaks, longer breaks,” he confirmed. “Maybe not four months, but one or two months, skipping certain tournaments, because it’s impossible to play them all.”
The Spanish star did not mince words about the ATP’s scheduling demands. “I think they keep adding more and more mandatory tournaments. They’re somehow forcing us to play,” he said bluntly. “You can say no, that we can keep one or two, that we can decide our own schedule, but there are Masters 1000s, Grand Slams, and if we have to play all the mandatory events imposed by the ATP, we’ll be competing for about 40 weeks.” Alcaraz warned this grueling agenda inevitably leads to injuries and burnout, with more players expected to suffer unless changes are made. “It’s impossible, and we see a lot of players getting injured, a lot of players getting tired… Personally, this injury break wasn’t a good thing, but I want to make it clear that in the future, I will take breaks and skip tournaments, that’s for sure.”
For now, Alcaraz’s focus remains firmly on US Open glory. He prepares to face Yibing Wu in the third round, intent on continuing his charge toward another Grand Slam triumph.