“I’m just chilling!” Carlos Alcaraz gives injury update, talks early start in US Open press

NEW YORK—Carlos Alcaraz’s bright US Open press conference demeanor was accented by an equally luminous yellow jacket, the former world No. 1 emitting positive vibes amid a tournament rife with cantankerous outbursts throughout its first week.

“I'm trying to bring joy to the court,” Alcaraz said after a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 win over Luciano Darderi. “So, I'm not thinking about or I'm not paying so much attention about anything else. That's for me and the way that I'm feeling on and off the court.”

Where fans have witnessed spectacular crashouts from the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Jelena Ostapenko, and now Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alcaraz brought momentum to Flushing Meadows from a title run at the Cincinnati Open and has kept the good times rolling on Arthur Ashe Stadium—winning all three matches without losing a set and reaching the second week for a fourth time in five total main-draw appearances.

I'm trying to feel as much comfortable as I can, you know, off the court dealing with everything in the best way possible. Then stepping on the court without being worried about anything else. Just about playing. That's what I love. Carlos Alcaraz

“I'm trying to feel as much comfortable as I can, you know, off the court dealing with everything in the best way possible,” said Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2022. “Then stepping on the court without being worried about anything else. Just about playing. That's what I love.”

Still sporting his unmissable buzz cut, the 22-year-old endured a brief moment of doubt on court against the No. 32 seed, taking a medical timeout to address acute pain in his knee.

“After five, six points, you know, it was gone,” shrugged Alcaraz. “I was worried about that. That why I ask for the physio, but it was nothing serious, so I just for precaution. After that, I just didn't feel it anymore, and it was good. So, it's just about nothing serious.”

Alcaraz took pride in his ability not only to reel off the final eight games of the match against Darderi, but also for his early wake-up call so he could make it onto Ashe fresh and ready for his 11:30AM start.

“I just went to bed at 11:00, 11:15,” Alcaraz recalled. “That for me is really weird, to be honest!

“I just woke 7:00 in the morning just to be ready to warm up well, feeling awake, and feeling good. So, it was an unusual time for me, but at the same time it's good, because I'm already done with everything. So, it's a good time as well.”

The reigning Roland Garros champion confessed he was even enjoying his media obligations—in stark contrast to his initial approach to post-match press.

“Few years ago I just coming here to the press conference sweating,” he said with a laugh. “Like, ‘Okay, let's see if I'm going to understand the question. Let's see what I'm going to answer.’ So, right now I just feeling more comfortable.

“I know you guys feeling like at home, let's say. So just, yeah, my English have improved a lot. I'm just trying to talk with the players, talking around, just watching series and movies in English helped me a lot to improve my English.

“Right now, I'm just chilling!” he added to more laughs.

Alcaraz will aim to keep his comfort levels high as he prepares to play for an 11th major quarterfinal out of the last 12, facing Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the round of 16.