Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz secured a hard-fought victory against Frenchman Ugo Humbert on Sunday at Wimbledon, continuing his impressive run in the tournament.
The world three emerged victorious with a 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 win on Centre Court, bringing him closer to defending his Wimbledon crown.
Spain vs France: A Semi-Final Clash at the Euros
In two days, Spain will face France in the semi-finals of the European Championships in Germany. An avid football fan, Alcaraz is eager to support his national team from afar.
Following his win against Frances Tiafoe on Friday, he watched Spain’s quarter-final victory against Germany in the locker room. The 21-year-old tennis star is excited to give his full backing to the Spanish team from West London once again.
Supporting La Roja: Alcaraz’s Football Passion
“I have a perfect relationship with a few players in the team, especially Alvaro Morata. He’s a perfect friend,” said Alcaraz, who is scheduled to face Tommy Paul on Tuesday at SW19. “I support them. The Euros are every four years, so it’s time to support them right now, as I know they support me when I’m playing matches or tournaments. It’s my turn.”
Alcaraz hopes his match against Paul will not coincide with Spain’s semi-final clash, allowing him to watch part of the game. “Hopefully, we are not going to play simultaneously on Tuesday. But let’s see. Hopefully, I will be able to see a little bit from the match,” he added.
On-Court Magic: Alcaraz’s Spectacular Play
During his match against Humbert, Alcaraz showcased his skill and determination with moments of brilliance. On set point in the second set, he lost his footing mid-way through the end but managed to regain control and clinch the set. Smiling, Alcaraz recalled playing a similar point against Jannik Sinner en route to winning the US Open in 2022.
“The last time I remember that I fell and recovered and won the point at the end was against Sinner at the US Open. I remember that I fell, recovered, and made a passing shot. That is the last time I remember getting a point like this one,” Alcaraz reminisced.
“As I said on the court, that’s myself fighting for every ball. I think that I can reach every ball. It doesn’t matter the shot, the opponent hit, or where I’m on the court. I just think I will get it; I’m going to hit another good or a passing shot, believing I will get the point.”
Adapting to Conditions: Playing Indoors
Alcaraz, who holds a 15-2 record at Wimbledon and is chasing his fourth major title, has played his past two matches under the Centre Court roof due to rain in west London. Despite not being accustomed to playing indoors, he has adapted well to the change in conditions.
“I’m not used to playing indoors, I’m not going to lie. But I don’t consider myself a bad player indoors. I just think there are a lot of players better than me,” Alcaraz admitted. “I would prefer to play outdoors. But if the weather is okay and the sun’s out. Not if it is windy. But if we have to play outdoors or indoors, I have to adapt my game to the conditions that it is.”
Hoping for Dual Victories: Tennis and Football
Alcaraz hopes his win over Humbert can inspire Spain’s football team ahead of their semi-final match against France. “Hopefully, they’re going to get the same result as me today,” Alcaraz said. “I won in the tennis part, so hopefully, the Spanish team will win the football part.”
Unable to watch the first half of Spain’s clash with hosts Germany on Friday, Alcaraz was thrilled to witness Mikel Merino’s late winner in Stuttgart after edging Frances Tiafoe in a five-set thriller that lasted three hours and 51 minutes.
With his quarter-final match against Tommy Paul approaching, Alcaraz is optimistic about finishing the game quickly to catch some of the action as Spain takes on France. “The first thing is I am supporting Spain because it’s Spain,” he said.
“I have an excellent relationship with a few team players, particularly Alvaro Morata. He’s a perfect friend. So right now, it’s time to support them, as I know they support me when I play matches or tournaments. It’s my turn.”
Alcaraz’s passion for football and unwavering support for the Spanish team highlight his deep connection to his homeland, even as he competes at the highest level in tennis.
As Spain prepares for their crucial semi-final match, fans can be assured that one of their most extraordinary tennis talents will be cheering them on every step of the way.
