Make a head
That is what it feels wish to have Alcaraz in your aspect: the celebs of Staff Europe make themselves heard!
Spaniard received his Laver Cup singles debut in Berlin on Saturday
September 21, 2024
Clive Brunskill/Getty Pictures for Laver Cup
Carlos Alcaraz in motion towards Ben Shelton on Saturday through the Laver Cup.
By Andy West
For many weeks of the 12 months, Carlos Alcaraz’s ATP Tour rivals are centered on how you can beat him on a number of the largest phases in tennis. This week, on the Laver Cup, a few of those self same rivals will discover out what it’s wish to have the Spaniard’s elegant expertise on their aspect as soon as and for all.
In his singles debut on the crew occasion in Berlin on Saturday, Alcaraz defeated Ben Shelton in straight units to earn two essential factors for Staff Europe. As his teammates supported him from the sidelines, the No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings reminded them why he’s such a troublesome opponent.
That successful smile 🙌
With the 6-4 6-4 victory over Shelton, @carlosalcaraz helps Staff Europe preserve tempo with Staff World.@LaverCup | #LaverCup photo.twitter.com/Ty8oCsfsWK
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 21, 2024
One of many spectators from the Staff Europe bench was Casper Ruud, who’s but to report a single victory in 4 Lexus ATP Head2Head matches towards Alcaraz, together with the 2022 US Open remaining.
“I am pleased to have him on my crew, that is for positive,” Ruud informed ATPTour.com forward of Alcaraz’s match towards Shelton. “He is an unimaginable participant, so I might somewhat have him on my crew than towards me. It is cool. He will come out explosive, like he all the time does, to hopefully get some necessary wins for Staff Europe. Everyone knows how nice he’s and it is his debut, so I am positive he’ll wish to do nicely.”
Alcaraz is lining up for Staff Europe this 12 months alongside former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov and former Grand Slam finalists Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas. It’s an all-star line-up, however the presence of the Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion has had a transparent impression on the spirits of his crew.
Tsitsipas, who will probably be taking part in in his fourth Laver Cup in Berlin, is a relative veteran of the annual crew occasion in comparison with debutant Alcaraz. The Greek had solely good issues to say in regards to the newest addition to Staff Europe.
“I feel he is having loads of enjoyable. I feel he is having fun with the format,” Tsitsipas mentioned of four-time main champion Alcaraz. “These are the uncommon events when you’ll be able to have a teammate like that. The chance to be on the identical aspect and attempt for a similar outcome and the identical efficiency, that is one thing I by no means considered. That is what makes the Laver Cup so particular, and I am completely loving it thus far.”
Bjorn Borg will captain Staff Europe for the seventh and remaining time in Berlin. The legendary Swede might hardly have wished for a much bigger weapon in his arsenal as he prepares his crew’s bid for a primary Laver Cup title since 2021.
“I am so pleased to have all these guys on my crew, and having Carlos for the primary time is thrilling,” Borg mentioned. “Persons are excited and hopefully he’ll win a couple of video games.”
How has Alcaraz tailored to the distinctive dynamics of his ATP Tour rivals cheering him on towards Shelton on Saturday?
“It was good. Actually, it was an incredible feeling that they supported me, as coaches,” the Spaniard informed ATPTour.com after his 6-4, 6-4 triumph. “Having Bjorn on the bench is a good help for me. Usually, after each level, I have a look at my crew. Right here I have a look at my companions and Bjorn [instead of] my crew. So it is a completely different feeling.
“For me it was a singular expertise that I loved very a lot. For instance with Grigor [Dimitrov] the entire time they had been teaching me, telling me what ways to make use of through the recreation, it was loopy. Having Stefanos and all of the gamers behind me in all the remainder instances, it was wonderful for me. I’ll use this expertise for a very long time, and actually I am studying quite a bit from them too.”