After spending four months away from competitive tennis due to a right wrist injury, Carlos Alcaraz wasn't sure what to expect from his body when he returned to the Tour.
Three matches into his US Open comeback, the Spaniard has been pleasantly surprised by just how good he feels.
"It didn't happen to me," Alcaraz said about facing nerves or his body feeling tight. "I am feeling better and better after every match. It feels like I have been competing the whole time. So it surprised me the way that I'm feeling and the way that I'm recovering after every match.
"I'm just really happy about how I'm able to perform at my best after every match. Doesn't matter if I'm playing four or three sets. So I'm just really happy about it."
Alcaraz has dropped just one set — against Jaime Faria in the second round — through his first three matches, making his return look relatively smooth on paper. But while he has been pleased with how his body has responded, the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings insists the reality of the matches has been much more demanding.
"The scores can say it was pretty easy, but for me and the way that I felt on the court, it was really tough and really demanding physically in terms of tennis," Alcaraz shared. "It was really difficult. I'm not thinking that everything is coming easy.
"I'm feeling that every point and every game, I had to earn it. It is a way to keep myself with my feet on the ground and thinking point after point and trying to do my best in every situation of the match."
That measured approach will be tested again when Alcaraz faces American Tommy Paul in the fourth round. Alcaraz leads 6-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, but the 23-year-old knows he will face a stern test. Paul has produced some solid results in recent weeks, including saving a match point to defeat Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati last month.
"He's a really talented player, really difficult one to play," Alcaraz said. "He's really dangerous for everyone on the Tour. The way he plays, the way he hits the ball, it's really complicated to dominate the ball and dominate the points. It's kind of difficult to play against him.
"I'm excited. I'm really looking forward to playing him once again. Great battles. He's such a nice guy. We just feel like we're having fun, we pull off great points, great shots. It's going to be really fun to watch, fun to play, as well."
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