Alcaraz on the calendar

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three, spoke to reporters before his Masters 1000 debut in Shanghai, days after winning the ATP 500 in Tokyo. Asked about the spate of injuries on the tour and how to ease them, he said players are being pushed too far. He argued that the schedule sometimes forces players over the line by making them play so many tournaments, and he asked for the direction to change for the players' sake. He said the ATP needs to look at what is happening in tournaments with the players.

“We play so many tournaments, so many matches, and I think things are going in the wrong direction.”

Alcaraz had already said he would play fewer tournaments after returning at the US Open, almost five months after an injury. He also spoke about the doubts that followed his layoff.

“There were a couple of moments of doubt about myself.”

Sinner and the knee injury

The comments came while Jannik Sinner is out with a knee injury and will not return to competition until 2027. Alcaraz wished his main rival well in the coming months and said he hopes to see him soon.

“I wish Jannik the best in the coming months, so that he is in a good place for next season. I hope to see him soon.”

Without Sinner in the picture, Alcaraz has the chance to do something big in Shanghai, where he has so far only reached the quarter-finals.

Spanish entrants on day one

Four Spaniards played on the first day of the tournament on Thursday, and only one won. Pablo Carreño beat Navone 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Jaume Munar lost to Brooksby 7-5, 6-4, Martín Landaluce lost to Struff 6-4, 6-4, and Dani Mérida lost to Van de Zandschulp 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Davidovich was set to face Brooksby next, while Alcaraz faces Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Rafa Jódar faces Tirante the day after. The four Spanish entrants are all still in the event and aim to end the drought.

A Shanghai title still missing

Shanghai is the only current Masters 1000 that no Spanish player has ever won. Three Spaniards have reached the final, including Nadal in the first edition in 2009, and none of them came away with the title. Alcaraz has won at least one of the first seven Masters 1000 of the season, but his Shanghai record so far stops at the quarter-finals. He said he feels mentally fresh, which he called the most important thing for him, and that he is ready for the challenge of this tournament. Davidovich's match against Brooksby is the next Spanish match on the schedule.