Alcaraz's usual routines return, from training sessions to talks with his team, from autographs for fans to interviews with TV stations, but one of his passions has not returned: golf. Despite being recovered from his right wrist injury, enough to qualify for the third round of the US Open by defeating Portuguese Jaime Faria, caution remains a priority, and he cannot risk the joint with every drive. His team assures that he will be able to return to the 18 holes without any problem, but for now, it's better for him to stay away. So, what is he doing in New York?
"Now I have to spend more hours with the physio to take care of my body, recovery requires more attention. Since I returned to training, I haven't taken many days off and I have been very focused on resting as much as possible. In this Grand Slam, I am lucky to have my whole family with me, my mother, my father, and my younger brothers, so I take advantage of those hours to be with them. Also, I can't go to the golf course, but New York has many things to do," he commented, somewhat enigmatic, after his victory, well past midnight on the Arthur Ashe court.
Last year, he spent all possible hours at the Deepdale course, to the point of celebrating every victory by showing his swing in the middle of the court and challenging Sergio García to a round before the semifinals. But now, no golf, so it's all jokes with his brothers Sergio and Jaime, who have not started the school year yet and are making the most of their time in Manhattan. During his older brother's first-round match against Roman Safiullin, they could be seen joking in the stands and taking photos with Travis Scott; and this Wednesday, during the match against Faria, Alcaraz dedicated the night's celebration to them.
At the end of the match, Alcaraz looked at them, pretended to take an arrow from a quiver on his back, and shot an arrow with an imaginary bow at them. They made the same gesture, and when it was over, they all burst into laughter. "They are here, we talk a lot, and they suggest several things for celebrations. Yesterday we agreed that if I won, I would do the bow and arrow for them, and that's how I dedicated it to them," said Alcaraz, who quickly appeared at the press conference to go back to rest at his hotel, the Plaza.
On his face, once again, the satisfaction of advancing to another round and continuing in a tournament he could have missed. With his performances, he is already a title contender, it's impossible to rule him out, but he continues to relieve himself of that pressure. Four months off is a long time; the only important thing is to keep playing. "All I wanted before coming to New York was to get back on the court, to feel the nerves again, to relive those tense moments. I have no expectations. All I want is to finish the tournament healthy without thinking beyond that," explained Alcaraz, who admitted that in the match against Faria, haste had led him to lose the first set, although he was proud of his subsequent reaction.