Carlos Alcaraz discloses what ‘frustrated’ him about his own performance against Alex Michelsen despite winning

Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious over Alex Michelsen, 7-6, 4-6, 6-1, in the opening round of the Japan Open. Despite not performing at his peak, Alcaraz secured his progression to the second round. Following the match, the Spaniard expressed his frustration, citing the adverse playing conditions as a challenge. Alcaraz explained that he had not practiced outdoors since a long time, as his pre-match preparations were indoors.

The change in court surface, from indoor to outdoor, made the ball appear larger and the court slower, making it difficult for him to maintain his usual aggressive style. While he acknowledged the frustration, Alcaraz remained optimistic, stating that he accepted the situation and managed to secure the win. He recognized the importance of this victory for his performance in the upcoming matches, particularly the second round against Matteo Arnaldi.