“I love playing on hard courts” – Alcaraz thriving in US Open environment

“I love playing on hard courts,” Alcaraz said in an interview with Tennis.com.

“Playing here in New York suits very well to my game, my personality. The people here are passionate about tennis, they have a lot of energy that they bring to the matches, to the court, and I love it.

“So probably here is where I play some of my best tennis.”

This is a somewhat ominous message to the rest of the field, given that the young Spaniard has already claimed two of the three Grand Slam titles so far this year.

Having lifted his maiden Roland-Garros trophy in June before emphatically defending his Wimbledon crown a few weeks later, Alcaraz now holds an astonishing tally of four Grand Slam titles at the age of just 21.

Yet New York is where it all began for the current world No 3, having claimed his first major title in New York two years ago to underline what was a stunning breakthrough season.

Now, returning to the scene of that triumph for the second time – having reached the semi-finals last year – Alcaraz remains one of the favourites in a draw that is wide open on the men’s side as players grappled with a rapid switch from the clay courts in an Olympic year.

As the man tasked with the considerable challenge of succeeding Rafael Nadal as his country’s best, Alcaraz reveals his admiration for his compatriot – himself a four-time winner in New York – remains steadfast.

“I love watching him practise,” Alcaraz said. “The intensity that brings to the practice, the way he hits every ball, it is insane.

“The first picture I took with him I was 11 or 12 years old in the tournament in Madrid. I played him for the first time there in 2021. I was so, so scared. He destroyed me, but it was a good time.”

The 21-year-old Spaniard will open up his campaign on Tuesday’s night session against Australian qualifier Li Tu as he bids to turn a brilliant season into a quite spectacular one.