### Carlos Alcaraz Should Not Underestimate His Next Opponent
Carlos Alcaraz began his journey at the Paris Olympics with impressive victories in both singles and doubles. Embracing his first Olympic experience fully, the young Spaniard opted to stay in the Olympic village, unlike some of his fellow athletes. Although he missed the opening ceremony due to his match schedule, Alcaraz has been enjoying the atmosphere, capturing moments with other athletes.
Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, is considered the favorite for the gold medal in Paris. His recent triumphs at the French Open and Wimbledon Championships have solidified his position. However, he needs to maintain focus and avoid lapses in concentration that have occasionally plagued him in the past. The Paris Olympics is a significant goal for Alcaraz this year, and despite having many future opportunities, he aims to make this one count.
In doubles, Alcaraz is teaming up with Rafael Nadal, who is participating in his final Olympics. The duo showed good cohesion in their debut match against Gonzalez and Molteni, despite some struggles in both sets.
Alcaraz is set to face Tallon Griekspoor in the second round. Though Griekspoor is not a red clay specialist, his powerful serve and baseline shots make him a formidable opponent. He nearly defeated Sascha Zverev at the 2024 French Open, only losing in the fifth set.
Former ATP player Alex Corretja, speaking with Eurosport, cautioned Alcaraz about underestimating Griekspoor: “Griekspoor is a dangerous player with a great backhand and forehand. Carlos is in excellent shape but shouldn’t be overconfident. He needs to take it game by game.”
Despite his young age, Alcaraz has already achieved remarkable success. With four Grand Slam titles, five Masters 1000 victories, and 36 weeks as world number one, his career trajectory is impressive. ATP legend Boris Becker recently praised Alcaraz, saying, “The sky is the limit for Alcaraz. If he can stay injury-free and maintain his current level, he could easily achieve double-digit Grand Slam titles.”
Reflecting on his Olympic debut with Nadal, Alcaraz said, “Playing with Rafa in my first Olympics, in front of a full Philippe Chatrier stadium, was a dream come true. It was nerve-wracking but incredibly special.” Their partnership in the Olympics has been a highlight, and Alcaraz is optimistic about their chances in the doubles competition.
After overcoming some physical issues, Alcaraz has shown exceptional form since spring, winning the Indian Wells Masters 1000 and excelling at the French Open and Wimbledon. With the goal of reclaiming the ATP number one spot from Jannik Sinner by the end of the season, Alcaraz is considering his schedule carefully. Success at the Paris Olympics might lead him to skip the Montreal Masters 1000 to manage his workload effectively.
In conclusion, while Carlos Alcaraz is the favorite for the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, he must remain vigilant and not underestimate his opponents. His journey in Paris is a testament to his talent and determination, and his focus on unity and respect within the sport is a reminder of the true spirit of competition.
