How does it feel to play Alcaraz? A rival explains
The Straits Times|January 18, 2025
"I feel like I got no air to breathe."
Rohit Brijnath
How does it feel to play Alcaraz? A rival explains

At the interview terrace at Melbourne Park, a soft-spoken young man politely puts down his food and dissects for The Straits Times the challenge of being on court with Carlos Alcaraz.

"Do you mind if I sit," asks Nuno Borges and it's impolite to refuse because he's just spent two hours and 55 minutes duelling with Alcaraz in a third-round match on Rod Laver Arena. To his credit, he steals a set in a 2-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6 defeat by the fluent world No. 3.

Borges is No. 33, beat Rafael Nadal in 2024 and is a very good player. But Alcaraz is a great one. The distinction is not always evident, but on Jan 17 it is clear and Borges is too honest to flinch from it.

"With Carlos, I think his intensity and physicality are a few notches above mine... He hits harder than me. He's quicker. I couldn't go cross-court with his forehand, he would win the rallies a lot of the time. But on the backhand side, I thought I had good chances. Even though he plays at a higher pace."

The Portuguese player has a degree in kinesiology, which in basic terms is a study of human movement. On that subject, Alcaraz can offer anyone tutorials. The Spaniard may wear sneakers, but it feels like he wears the winged sandals of the Greek god Hermes. He moves like a hot wind on a sunny day.

This story is from the January 18, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.

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This story is from the January 18, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.

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