Alcaraz, the last litmus test before Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz He has not picked up a racket since defeating Alex de Minaur in the Queen’s final last Sunday. Murcian suffered from some discomfort in the right adductor in that match and, although they allowed him to finish the match and defeat the Australian, they disrupted his plans for Wimbledon.

Despite the fact that Alcaraz assured after winning the tournament that everything was fine and that his plans would not change, the truth is thatThe week was far from what is usual before an event like Wimbledon. Alcaraz, already with five matches on grass in his legs, took it couple of days off and canceled the exhibition against Dana Holger Runa that was scheduled for Wednesday. Something logical, considering the successes and recordings in the London club.

However, the initial plan He considered returning to the track on Wednesdaybut Alcaraz went to the All England Club facilities that day to work out in the weight room, focusing on preparing his right thigh and preventing what started as discomfort from worsening.

As a precaution, the itinerary was repeated on Thursdaywith the addition that the second exhibition that was scheduled was also cancelled, this Friday, against Dominic Thiem. In the company of his physiotherapist Juanjo Moreno and Juan Carlos Ferrer, with whom he played golf in London these days, Alcaraz again got massages, did muscle exercises and ran on a treadmill.

Yes, he will train at Wimbledon on Friday, for the first time since landing in London almost two weeks ago. Murcian will take the racket in his hands and try it at Aorangi Park, where Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, two of his biggest rivals on these courts, have been doing double sessions for several days.

In fact, the Serbian and Italian players uncorked the center court this Thursday, in a tradition that has been established since last year at the All England Club. Djokovic and Sinner played a practice set, before Daniil Medvedev and Dan Evans took over. Four other tennis players will repeat the experience on Friday, and Alcaraz will not be among them.

Alcaraz will train this Friday after his opponents are known in the draw which will start at 10:00am UK time. The one from El Palmar will start as first seed, ahead of Đoković, which means they can’t face each other until the hypothetical final. The first fight will be crucial, due to Alcaraz’s physical concerns and how treacherous that round is; last year he needed five sets against Jan-Lennard Struff, before beating his next two opponents in three sets. He was stopped in the round of 16 by the brilliant Sinner.

If all goes well, Alcaraz will repeat the routine on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, before his debut on Tuesday, July 4. Đoković, as the current champion, will have the honor of ceremonially opening the center court on Monday, so the second part of the draw, in which Alcaraz is located, will start the tournament on Tuesday.