Alcaraz's Adjustment for the Madrid Masters Winner's "Hattrick".

Carlos Alcaraz competed in Madrid with a right arm injury. He also played in a different way.

AFP/THOMAS COEX

Carlos Alcaraz made a serve towards Alexander Shevchenko in the second round match of the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid tournament at Caja Magica, Madrid, on Friday (26/4/2024). Alcaraz won, 6-2, 6-1.

MADRID, FRIDAY — Carlos Alcaraz missed two warm-up tournaments ahead of the Grand Slam French Open due to an arm injury. He also had to adapt to these conditions when appearing in the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid tournament to win his third title in a row.

The champion of Madrid Masters 2022 and 2023 competed at La Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain, after resting for almost a month due to a right arm injury. The injury caused him to cancel his appearances at Monte Carlo Masters and ATP 500 Barcelona. All three tournaments, as well as Rome Masters next week, serve as warm-up tournaments for the French Open Grand Slam, which will take place from May 26 to June 9.

I think I played well. Last month, I only practiced slice, volleyball, and backhand and I can do that well, today.

Alcaraz also sharpened his other punches when he couldn't deliver the hard forehand that was his weapon. He demonstrated these blows when he faced Alexander Shevchenko in the second round of the Madrid Masters, Friday (26/4/2024), and won with a score of 6-2, 6-1.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Returns to the Champions Podium

Instead of standing far behind the baseline to prepare to return serve with a forehand that can reach speeds of 160 km/h, he waits for the ball from the opponent's serve around thebaseline< /i>. Then, Alcaraz moved closer to the net, made a smooth stroke in the form of a backhand volley to produce a winner. Roger Federer often uses this method of returning serve.

AFP/THOMAS COEX

Carlos Alcaraz faced Alexander Shevchenko in the second round match of the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid tournament at Caja Magica, Madrid, on Friday (26/4/2024). Alcaraz won, 6-2, 6-1.

Alcaraz often executed net shots to quickly earn points. Out of 12 net shots, the third-ranked men's singles player in the world earned 11 points.

”I think I played well. Last month, I only practiced slice, volleyball, and backhand and I can do that well, today. "I tried to do my forehand more slowly and play aggressively with my backhand, too, approaching the net as quickly as possible," said Alcaraz, who played wearing a cuff on his right arm to protect his injury.

Also read: Sinner Champion and Shifting Alcaraz

The injury actually didn't bother her too much when facing Shevchenko, but Alcaraz didn't deny that there were feelings of worry in her mind. Moreover, he couldn't play comfortably when he had to launch a hard forehand.

Therefore, the owner of two Grand Slam titles at the age of 20 continues to strive to maintain his condition even though he has to play with higher intensity when competing, compared to when practicing. Moreover, he has a big goal, which is to become the champion of the French Open after making it to the quarterfinals in 2022 and the semifinals in the following year.

AFP/THOMAS COEX

Carlos Alcaraz hit the ball towards Alexander Shevchenko in the second round match of the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid tournament at Caja Magica, Madrid, on Friday (26/4/2024). Alcaraz won, 6-2, 6-1.

In the competition in Madrid, Alcaraz was the second seed below Jannik Sinner. As for the world number one in men's singles, Novak Djokovic, he was absent and chose to compete in the Rome Masters before the French Open.

Facing Alcaraz in the third round is Brazilian tennis player, Thiago Seyboth Wild, who defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the second round. As for Sinner, he will play in the second round against Lorenzo Sonego on Saturday. If he wins against Wild, Alcaraz has the opportunity to meet Jan-Lennard Struff whom he defeated at the 2023 Madrid Masters final.

Also read: New Season, New Competition

Sabalenka's tough match

In contrast to Alcaraz, the defending WTA 1000 Madrid women's singles champion, Aryna Sabalenka, had to fight harder when facing Magda Linette in the second round. Sabalenka won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 after playing for two hours and nine minutes.

Sabalenka had to wait until towards the end of the third set to break her opponent's serve. She stole Linette's serve in the eighth game to lead 5-3, then held her serve in the following game.

AP/MANU FERNANDEZ

Aryna Sabalenka's action during her match against Magda Linette in the second round of the WTA 1000 Madrid tennis tournament at Caja Magica, Madrid, on Friday (26/4/2024). Sabalenka defeated Linette, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

After defending her Australian Open Grand Slam title in January, Sabalenka struggled to maintain her form. She has only reached the quarter-finals once in four tournaments, and that was at the WTA 500 level in Stuttgart, Germany, last week. Sabalenka is behind her two main rivals, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina. The rivalry between the three tennis players has even earned the nickname "Big Three", a nickname previously aimed at the rivalry between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic.

”I feel my level has dropped. "The competition in recent months has belonged to the 'Big Two'," said Sabalenka.

Also read: Sabalenka's dominance at Melbourne Park

Swiatek has won two WTA 1000 tournaments this year, namely in Doha and Indian Wells. Meanwhile, Rybakina has won three tournaments out of five finals. The latest title was obtained by the Wimbledon 2022 champion at the WTA 500 Stuttgart.

In Madrid, Swiatek and Rybakina won the second round more easily compared to Sabalenka. Swiatek, who will face Sorana Cirstea in the third round on Saturday, defeated Wang Xi Yu 6-1, 6-4, while Rybakina beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-4, 6-3. (AFP/AP)