Alcaraz is no longer a teenager, but he is building an aura

There is no trace of the Carlos Alcaraz who played with an injured wrist, hesitated, suffered and wondered how long the torment would last. Four months after injuring himself against Virtanen at the Godó Trophy in April, the Spaniard looked like a player who had finally recovered his freedom.

Alcaraz had spent those months testing himself, first believing he was ready and then doubting it again. Juan Carlos Ferrero, his former coach, once explained the problem clearly, and Samu López, his current coach, says the same: Alcaraz does not like playing while something hurts. He needs open space, the youthful feeling of freedom and the comfort of a healthy body. He is not a player who defines himself through suffering.

Tommy Paul, one of the leading figures in American tennis, discovered the difference after 45 minutes. Alcaraz focused on the return, accelerated and finally broke the home player’s serve to close the first set 6-4. The 23,700 spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium supported Paul, their local man, but many also seemed drawn to Alcaraz, the global star. Television commentator Álex Corretja estimated that 60% of the crowd wanted Alcaraz to win.

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I would say that 60% of the spectators prefer Alcaraz to win.

Paul briefly answered back after Alcaraz broke his serve again in the second set, but the Spaniard kept coming. He won the next exchange, broke once more and moved toward a 6-3 set with remarkable calm. He never appeared rattled, even after a 20-shot rally and a point at the net left Paul searching for answers.

Alcaraz completed the match with a 6-4 final set. He is now through to the quarterfinals, where he will meet the winner of another match. The performance suggested that the wrist injury and its doubts belong to an earlier version of him.

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If something hurts Carlos, doubts assail him.