Alcaraz ready to taste forbidden fruit in China

A trip to the Forbidden City in the heart of bureaucratic Beijing may give Carlos Alcaraz the mental boost he needs to excel at this week’s China Open.

The Spaniard who stands second here behind double 2024 Grand Slam winner Jannik Sinner is on a mission to improve his showing form 2023, when he lost a semi-final to the Italian.

A tourism visit on Wednesday to the government compound which has served as an opaque decision-making centre for centuries may have awakened the fighting spirit in the Spaniard, winner of two Davis Cup and two Laver Cup matches this month after the US Open.

“It’s great to see a little bit about the culture here in China, see different things,” Alcaraz said. 

“Being there has been a great experience for me. I’m excited to start the tournament, seeing how it’s going to be. I’m living this experience here in China once again.”

After playing on the winning Europe side at the Laver Cup in Berlin at the weekend, ATP No. 3 Alcaraz is already looking ahead to the Davis Cup Finals in November at home in Malaga.

Spanish officials are hoping that Rafael Nadal might return to the court for a possible last hurrah, playing for his country at the team event.

The 38-year-old wad chosen for the Laver squad but later withdrew saying his physical conditioning was not to blame.,

The oft-injured icon is possibly closing in on the endgame of his career, but has released zero details on his thinking.

“It’s always great having Rafa around. I miss him,  I’m not going to lie,

“As much time as I can spend with him, for me it’s a privilege.  I don’t want to think that it is a potential last dance for him in Malaga.  

“I just want to think that I will trying to live or to enjoy his time around, to enjoy

seeing him on court as much as I can.

“He can bring a lot of experience to Davis Cup.  It’s going to be my first Davis Cup Final.  It’s going to be a great experience for me. And hopefully it’s not going to be the last time for him.”