Alcaraz, on the conditions in Vienna: “I would say there is too much noise, I’m not going to lie. But, once you get used to it, it doesn’t matter what happens”

Carlos Alcaraz He had not played in Vienna since his debut in the 2021 season, before his emergence as a Grand Slam champion and youngest world number one in history. He left a good impression in this ATP 500 tournament as he reached the semi-finals, losing to the German Alexander Zverevthe next day champion.

The Austrian capital does not usually appear on the Spaniard’s agenda, since the Six Kings Slam exhibition takes place the week before, in Saudi Arabia. The cancellation of this appointment opened the door to Vienna, which launched itself to sign the Murcian, with possibilities of a permanent financial position since the Italian had been absent. Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz had to work hard for his premiere in 2026, to beat the Russian Karen Khachanov by 6-4 and 7-6 (5), in 2h.04′. He rests this Wednesday, the day he will meet his rival on Thursday: the round of 16 will be against the local team Jurij Rodionov or the Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili.

You will have time to get used to the special conditions of the event. Regarding the surface, he assured that “it is excellent, I liked it.” The balls did not achieve the same outstanding rating, since “they get very hairy with play and sometimes it is difficult to generate power.”

Although what caught his attention the most was the noise during the breaks. The music thunders throughout the stadium because the volume is so high. “I would say there is too much noise, I’m not going to lie. But, once you get used to it, you concentrate on your own thoughts and it no longer matters what is happening outside. At the end of the day, it is also about offering something that the fans can enjoy,” said Alcaraz.

He liked the atmosphere that the public created, “with a completely full stadium being a first round. The people were incredible, and we gave them a good game to enjoy. I enjoyed it too,” said Alcaraz, in his first stop on the European indoor tour.

Then you have on your calendar the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris, the ATP Finals in Turin and the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, in Bologna. “If necessary, I will be there for the doubles, although it is something that I have not yet discussed with David Ferrer“, the Spanish captain, who bids farewell to his position at that meeting.

Alcaraz, out of action for almost five months with the injury, feels with renewed energy. “I haven’t played that many games, so I still feel fresh and eager to compete. I want to take advantage of that to my advantage now,” he remarked.