(July 1, 2024) Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz opened Wimbledon on Monday, with a 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-2 win over qualifier Mark Lajal of Estonia on Centre Court in two hours and 22 minutes.
The 269th-ranked player “surprised me a little bit” Alcaraz admitted on Day 1 at the All England Club.
“When I walk onto the court, I get goosebumps. I remembered last year. It was a great feeling,” the 21-year-old Spaniard said in his on-court interview. “But I try not to think about it. It’s a new year — a totally different tournament. I have to be focused on my game just to play at the same level as last year if I want to repeat the same (success) as last year.”
“Stepping on this court, it’s the most beautiful court I’ve played on. I still get nerves when I’m playing here,” he added.
“I played for 45 minutes here on Thursday and it’s the first time I get nervous practicing. I’m glad and I’m a privileged guy to play on this court.
“He played a good match, obviously surprised me a little bit because I didn’t have the chance to see him play a lot. He has a great level, he’s really young, my age,” Alcaraz said.
“I’m sure I will play against him even more on the tour and I’m really happy to get my first win on Centre Court this year.”
Earlier, No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 19 Victoria Azarenka both pulled out of the tournament because of respective shoulder injuries.
More to follow…..
