Match the Reaction
Alcaraz on Laver Cup nerves: ‘I’m a good player’
The Spaniard helped guide Team Europe to Laver Cup glory
September 23, 2024
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Carlos Alcaraz playing in the Laver Cup for Team Europe in Berlin.
Written by Sam Jacot
Carlos Alcaraz has established a winning streak when competing at the biggest stages in the early years of his illustrious career.
The 21-year-old owns a perfect 4-0 record in major finals and earned a crucial victory for Team Europe against Team World in the Laver Cup on Sunday night to secure victory for Bjorn Borg’s side. The Spaniard showed some upset in his straight-sets win against Taylor Fritz in Berlin, but revealed it was not in his head.
“That means I’m a good player,” Alcaraz said after teammate Grigor Dimitrov felt the Spaniard was showing a bit of tension on court. “I was nervous, I’m not going to lie. After Sascha’s performance, he did a really good job. It was time for me to do my job. I should have won. After that comeback, I had to win.
“I was nervous, a little nervous. I tried not to show Taylor that I was nervous, but I think I played one of my best games so far. I tried to be as calm as possible and hit it as well as I could.”
Alcaraz is making his Laver Cup debut and revealed that he feels a different kind of pressure during the team event than he usually does when competing in solo cups on the Tour.
“It was a different feeling. You obviously have them [Team Europe] supporting me behind me, it’s different,” said 15-time tour-level hitter Alcaraz. “They try to stay there and show me good energy every time which makes me really comfortable on the court and try to get all the emotions out and play good tennis.”
Captain Borg was leading the European Team for the seventh and final time, and Yannick Noah will replace the Swede next year. Borg has led Team Europe to Laver Cup glory in five of the seven editions he has captained and is delighted with how this year’s event has gone.
“Good team, good atmosphere. We had a good week together,” said Borg. “When we started on Sunday morning, I think we had problems, but all these guys made it. It’s unbelievable. I am very happy. I’m very happy because it’s my last Laver Cup year, and to be with this team, it’s great.”
Team Europe trailed Team World on the final day of play but won three of four rubbers on Sunday to take a 13-11 victory.
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