Alcaraz tired of late-night finishes

Carlos Alcaraz has called for a halt to post-midnight finishes after his US Open loss which did not end until nearly 4 a.m.

The Spaniard voiced his complaint as he prepared with Team Europe in London at the Laver Cup teams event.

Alcaraz crashed out of the Open last month as he returned after nearly five months of wrist injury drama, dropping a quarter-final match at 3:33 a.m. to eventual New York finalist Ben Shelton.

“100 per cent,” the former No. 1 said when queried about the chaotic scheduling of US Open matches. 

“It is a shame that a match like this couldn’t reach a lot of people because they had to go to bed. Because they have to work the next day’s morning.”

He added: “We could see at the beginning of the match it was packed and then in the fourth set, fifth set, a lot of people stayed, which was great. But it is a shame those people had to leave because of the time.

“For an athlete finishing at 3.30am, it means we had to leave the courts on site at 4.30am almost. Then getting back to the hotel. You don’t get to bed until like 6.30am or 7am.

“To recover for the next match, it’s like the other plays with an advantage. I think it’s too much. They have got to do something. I am not saying 3.30am but finishing at 12am, it is too late already.”

As for this weekend at London’s O2, Alcaraz said he’s keen to get stuck into the special event organised by Roger Federer’s management company.

“Hopefully, right now, I am fresh mentally. Physically, I am feeling great. Hopefully I will do a great tournament and try to find my good tennis again sooner.”

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz lost to Ben Shelton at US Open in a match ending at 3.33am – by ISFLtd