The 2024 Barcelona Open has received a major boost, with local hero Carlos Alcaraz set to return to the ATP 500 event this year.
The tournament will feel like a long time away for the Spaniard. Alcaraz's next matches are exhibitions at the Australian Open, which includes a repeat of the 2022 US Open final with Casper Ruud.
However, the clay-court season is undoubtedly one that Alcaraz looks forward to every year. It is the surface that he grew up on, and how comfortable he feels on the dirt is clear for everyone to see.
Alcaraz is yet to translate that clay-court prowess into a triumph at the French Open. However, most in the tennis world agree it is only a matter of time before that changes. Some argue that he would have beaten Novak Djokovic in last year's semifinal, had cramp not set in.
The Barcelona Open is a tournament where Alcaraz has been successful. He has won the last two editions of the event, and the Twitter page of the tournament has excitedly announced the return of Alcaraz this year.
Alcaraz's 2022 run saw him beat compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta in the final in straight sets. But the two-time Grand Slam champion did have to fight hard in other matches, being pushed to three sets by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinal and by Alex de Minaur in the semifinal.
Alcaraz was more dominant when he won the title the following year. He did not drop a single set in victories against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Nuno Borges, Roberto Bautista Agut, Dan Evans, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Alcaraz is currently finishing his preparations before flying out to Australia. His brand of tennis is thrilling to watch on all surfaces. After his time in Melbourne, we can look forward to him entertaining tennis fans at least as much on clay.
0 Comments