Carlos Alcaraz is back at the Erste Bank Open for the first time since 2021 and has already given fans in Vienna a demonstration of how far he has come as a player across the past five years.
The Spaniard was one of several top players to practise Saturday at the Marx-Halle, the Austrian capital’s historic former cattle market that now serves as the second venue for the indoor ATP 500 event. Alcaraz practised with former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov, not long after former Vienna champion Alexander Zverev took to court to prepare for a week in which he can seal his rise to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time.
Alcaraz has won seven Grand Slam titles, become the youngest World No. 1 in history and developed into a global superstar since his last Vienna appearance. He will hope to add another trophy to his collection at this year’s edition of the indoor ATP 500 event, where he reached the semi-finals on his 2021 debut before falling to Zverev.
View the best photos from Saturday’s practice below. Credit for all photos: e|motion/Stefan Strasser
Alcaraz took to court Saturday in Vienna, where he faces Karen Khachanov in the first round.
The Spaniard is currently 33-5 for the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
Alcaraz practised with Grigor Dimitrov, who will compete in Vienna as a wild card.
Alcaraz is chasing 28th tour-level title, and fourth of 2026, in Vienna.
Zverev is aiming to recapture the Vienna title, which he previously won in 2021.
The German is preparing for his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Martin Landaluce in his opening match.
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