Carlos Alcaraz has surged with breathtaking speed, turning potential into undeniable results. He hadn’t reached the semi-finals in any major before last year, and now he is contending for a third-place finish in New York, a spot that would have made him the runner-up twelve months earlier. He is the youngest world number one in history, and as his body and conditioning evolved, his strength has become even more evident. At 20, he is showcasing a level of power and endurance that few expected, expanding a growing arsenal of tools that make him a formidable opponent. In a tournament filled with twists, the focus in moments of pressure became clear as he pushed through a 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Daniel Evans, the 28th-ranked player, underscoring his resilience and capacity to squeeze out results when it matters most. The win propelled him into the quarterfinals against Matteo Arnaldi, a young Italian who had already defeated Cameron Norrie in his previous match, signaling a potential clash of rising stars in the next round.
“Right now, above all, I feel like a different player, more mature,” Alcaraz told reporters after a tough battle with the British opponent. “I see the game from a different angle and I know how to approach certain situations with a steadier mind. I have learned to adapt with the season, the surfaces, and the moments that demand a smarter game.”
On Friday the mood around the court was buoyant, with Alcaraz’s smile not only winning over the crowd but also serving as a source of inspiration for peers like American star Coco Gauff. The Spaniard’s infectious positivity stood out, even when his performance wavered. When his first serve dipped on Saturday, his joy briefly gave way to a visible frustration, yet he recovered and remained competitive against Evans, capitalizing on opportunities when they arose and maintaining momentum as the match wore on. His ability to maintain composure in the face of adversity has become a hallmark of his journey this season.
Alcaraz has emphasized the importance of self-talk and momentum management in the face of challenging moments. He explained that expressing anger at the right moments can be healthy, but channeling that energy into constructive action is what truly moves a player forward. The key, he says, is to cultivate a positive internal dialogue that helps him stay focused on improvement, even when results do not come easily. By framing setbacks as chances to adjust and grow, he keeps believing that progress is possible with every point and every practice session. This mental approach mirrors the elevated level of performance his training and strategic preparation have been delivering. It is this blend of physical readiness and a steadier mindset that keeps his trajectory on an upward course, fueling confidence that he can translate moments of difficulty into decisive play when it counts most. In this way, the team around him and the support system he has built contribute to a sustainable path toward more consistent success on the biggest stages. The path may be demanding, but the framework he follows appears to be working, helping him move forward with purpose and clarity.