A very rare Alcaraz suffers an unexpected setback in the ATP Finals

It had to be seen to be believed. It was all very strange, especially the performance of Carlos Alcaraz. A practically unknown version of the Murcian, which if anything is characterized by its excess of energy. Quite the contrary, he entered and left the Inalpi Arena in Turin, with capacity for 13,000 spectators, very subdued.

Only from this perspective of a rare Alcaraz can it be understood that he suffered his first defeat against the Norwegian Casper Ruud in five games. The Murcian, 21 years old and world no. years and No. 7, finalist of this event in 2022..

An unexpected setback for Juan Carlos Ferrero’s pupil, who had always been superior to Ruud who also arrived at the event lacking in tennis and results. He had lost 6 of his previous 7 matches on the ATP Tour.

What’s wrong with Alcaraz? It was known that he had a cold these days in Italian lands, which made him have to constantly reach for his handkerchief, which made it difficult for him to breathe. It is the explanation. There must be some physical problem for the Spaniard to be so weak on a court. In the absence of him himself revealing the exact details of how he has experienced/suffered it, the ATP Finals are complicated for him, which nevertheless leave the opportunity to come back.

On Wednesday they will have the second match, against the loser of the duel between Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublevwhich will close the opening day of the John Newcombe Group this afternoon at 8:30 p.m. Alcaraz already debuted in 2023 with a defeat, precisely against Zverev, later reaching the semis. It could be repeated under normal conditions.

Let’s see how Alcaraz recovers, and he will look for a remedy. He had his opportunities, despite that fuel deficit that he reflected. Everything could have changed in the opening game of the match, when he already had two break balls. He didn’t take advantage of them, nor did the other three in that partial.

Each lost chance was accompanied by a major punishment. He, 0 out of 5, contrasted with Ruud’s 2 out of 2 in converted breaks, which would be a total 4 out of 4 overall in the match.

Ruud, a rock, grew up watching a Carlos Alcaraz who was not the usual one. He observed that the weakness of the Murcian opened a different panorama, and that is why he insisted on the second set when the Spaniard improved somewhat and took a 5-2 lead.

Alcaraz didn’t hold out like that, as he accumulated many mistakes.to receive a 0-5 that gave the victory to Ruud. Everyone was stunned. Charly had not been Charly. Nor was his box as active as other times, aware of everything that was happening in the body and mind of his tennis player.

Difficult moment for Carlos Alcaraz, who eagerly faces the double challenge of the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals, with a Spain-Netherlands in the quarterfinals on November 19. In the goodbye of Rafa Nadal besides.