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[britbox]

A one-sided final but Fils will be pleased with his overall tournament.

Final Highlights

Alcaraz d. Fils 6-2 6-1

 

[britbox]

Post Match Interview

 

[Jelenafan]

Don’t want to jinx Carlos, and of course with the caveat that things can change on a dime, but IMO this is as sharp and fresh as Alcaraz has looked this early in the season.

Could be a huge year for him, the odds are he will get at least one more slam and would not be shocked if he gets three for the first time in his career. It’s funny how folks perceived HC to be his “weakest” surface. ; )

 

[Moxie]

Don’t want to jinx Carlos, and of course with the caveat that things can change on a dime, but IMO this is as sharp and fresh as Alcaraz has looked this early in the season.

Could be a huge year for him, the odds are he will get at least one more slam and would not be shocked if he gets three for the first time in his career. It’s funny how folks perceived HC to be his “weakest” surface. ; )

And people were wondering how he would react to parting ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero. Don't get me wrong...I still think that was rather unfortunate, how it went down. But I guess he is fine to fly on his own, too, without his "2nd father." He certainly does look fresh and dialed in. It is funny, a little, that people call HCs his "weakest" surface. Statistically, his numbers are a bit lower, but he did win his first Major at the USO.

With Sinner looking a bit less domineering, Carlos could be looking at a great year. We'll see, but amazing start. Today, he seemed to be looking at the ball like a watermelon, but that could also have been Fils. Not to knock Fils, but he's only just coming back, and might have been a bit of a pigeon today.

 

[tented]

 

[Federberg]

A one-sided final but Fils will be pleased with his overall tournament.

Final Highlights

Alcaraz d. Fils 6-2 6-1

watching this, I can't help feeling that Fils was like a baby Alcaraz. Lots of similarities in their games, just Carlos does everything a little bit better. I came away thinking that Fils has absolutely every chance of being a solid top 10 player. I think that was his first time facing the Alcaraz game, so the result wasn't surprising at all. But... it's something for him to work on. There's lots to improve at the margins that could make him a mainstay in the closing rounds of tournaments. I was so struck by Fils being a baby Carlito, I actually thought a lot about Grigor and Roger

 

[Federberg]

View attachment 10612

wow.. didn't expect to see Rafa in that list. Would love to know if he was dealing with an injury at the time. I guess that was a warm up tournament for the AO '08 run?

 

[brokenshoelace]

wow.. didn't expect to see Rafa in that list. Would love to know if he was dealing with an injury at the time. I guess that was a warm up tournament for the AO '08 run?

He had played the longest 3 set match of all time (at the time) the previous day against Carlos Moya.

 

[kskate2]

watching this, I can't help feeling that Fils was like a baby Alcaraz. Lots of similarities in their games, just Carlos does everything a little bit better. I came away thinking that Fils has absolutely every chance of being a solid top 10 player. I think that was his first time facing the Alcaraz game, so the result wasn't surprising at all. But... it's something for him to work on. There's lots to improve at the margins that could make him a mainstay in the closing rounds of tournaments. I was so struck by Fils being a baby Carlito, I actually thought a lot about Grigor and Roger

Nope They played twice last year on clay. One, a tightly QF contest at MC where Chuck tested his patience and rally tolerance. The other was a dustup in the SF of Barca. But if you go off the rounds he lost to Chuck, he is making progress: QF, SF, Final this year.

 

[britbox]

watching this, I can't help feeling that Fils was like a baby Alcaraz. Lots of similarities in their games, just Carlos does everything a little bit better. I came away thinking that Fils has absolutely every chance of being a solid top 10 player. I think that was his first time facing the Alcaraz game, so the result wasn't surprising at all. But... it's something for him to work on. There's lots to improve at the margins that could make him a mainstay in the closing rounds of tournaments. I was so struck by Fils being a baby Carlito, I actually thought a lot about Grigor and Roger

I think it was Fils himself who said he was a blend of Monfils and Tsonga. He's got the athleticism if he keeps healthy. I think he's more aggressive than Monfils and will need to be if he's going to get anywhere near Carlo in the long term. I don't see him on the same page yet but I like him.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Gee Moxie champion players aren't defined with a loss or two
I am certain Jannik will bounce back
If my memory is correct people were worried last year when Carlos went missing in IW and he bounced back

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

And people were wondering how he would react to parting ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero. Don't get me wrong...I still think that was rather unfortunate, how it went down. But I guess he is fine to fly on his own, too, without his "2nd father." He certainly does look fresh and dialed in. It is funny, a little, that people call HCs his "weakest" surface. Statistically, his numbers are a bit lower, but he did win his first Major at the USO.

With Sinner looking a bit less domineering, Carlos could be looking at a great year. We'll see, but amazing start. Today, he seemed to be looking at the ball like a watermelon, but that could also have been Fils. Not to knock Fils, but he's only just coming back, and might have been a bit of a pigeon today.

Gee Moxie
Champion players arent defined with a loss or 2?
I am certain Jannik will bounce back
I remember when Carlos didnt do well in the Sunshine Swing in 2025, people were questioning his consistency? he bounced back

 

[Moxie]

Gee Moxie
Champion players arent defined with a loss or 2?
I am certain Jannik will bounce back
I remember when Carlos didnt do well in the Sunshine Swing in 2025, people were questioning his consistency? he bounced back

Not criticizing, just an observation. Sinner isn't looking as indomitable as he was much of last year. Yes, it's early, and things will change. I was mainly talking about Carlos and how he's looking, and the fact that posters were wondering how he'd react without JCF this year. My comment about Sinner was mostly afterthought.

 

[kskate2]

I commented on Carlos when he split w/ JCF. My worry was his reliance and utilization of his box alot, especially when asking where to serve or he's flustered. When JCF was there, he gave him much feedback on tactics, etc. He still does look to his box, almost after every point, but now it's more a fist pump or racquet shake after winning a point. To me, Sam Lopez doesn't appear that active w/ live on court feedback and for all I know, Chuck may want it this way.

 

[Moxie]

I commented on Carlos when he split w/ JCF. My worry was his reliance and utilization of his box alot, especially when asking where to serve or he's flustered. When JCF was there, he gave him much feedback on tactics, etc. He still does look to his box, almost after every point, but now it's more a fist pump or racquet shake after winning a point. To me, Sam Lopez doesn't appear that active w/ live on court feedback and for all I know, Chuck may want it this way.

He definitely doesn't seem as reliant on his box anymore. Maybe just needed to cut the cord. JFC was fantastic at shepherding him from juniors and promise, into ATP and fulfilling promise.

 

[Fiero425]

Not criticizing, just an observation. Sinner isn't looking as indomitable as he was much of last year. Yes, it's early, and things will change. I was mainly talking about Carlos and how he's looking, and the fact that posters were wondering how he'd react without JCF this year. My comment about Sinner was mostly afterthought.

It's like no one's paying attn. to the shortcomings of Jannik! He's obviously played well enuf to get to #1, wins his share of Majors, & has stayed in the top 2 even w/ a significant suspension taking him off the tour for a while! They're trying to say he's "in a slump" when it's really a combo. of things! Physically, when he's made to work hard for 3-4 hrs., he begins to struggle; esp. in serious heat! And what did Novak say said about his style of play? No real variation? It's the reason I don't think Sinner or Alcaraz will get a sniff of breaking significant all time records! I say w/ the speed of the game, outside commitments, & general en oui of tour living will push both out of the ranks sooner rather than later! Both have issues w/ injuries at an early age! It's only going to get worse as aggressive play by lower ranked players will test them earlier & earlier in tournaments!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Not criticizing, just an observation. Sinner isn't looking as indomitable as he was much of last year. Yes, it's early, and things will change. I was mainly talking about Carlos and how he's looking, and the fact that posters were wondering how he'd react without JCF this year. My comment about Sinner was mostly afterthought.

"My comment on Sinner was mostly afterthought" really ? yep things can change

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I commented on Carlos when he split w/ JCF. My worry was his reliance and utilization of his box alot, especially when asking where to serve or he's flustered. When JCF was there, he gave him much feedback on tactics, etc. He still does look to his box, almost after every point, but now it's more a fist pump or racquet shake after winning a point. To me, Sam Lopez doesn't appear that active w/ live on court feedback and for all I know, Chuck may want it this way.

Keli,'
Carlos has added his older brother Alvaro to his team, he was there alongside Lopez at the AO, though in the final Carlos was still looking to his team, especially after the 1st set when Nole took his game to him, and he lost easily, 6-2, though he wasnt looking as much to his box at the AO when JCF was his coach

 

[kskate2]

Keli,'
Carlos has added his older brother Alvaro to his team, he was there alongside Lopez at the AO, though in the final Carlos was still looking to his team, especially after the 1st set when Nole took his game to him, and he lost easily, 6-2, though he wasnt looking as much to his box at the AO when JCF was his coach

Lopez and the brother definitely have a different coaching style and as Mox said, he maybe just wanted to rip the Daddy II cord. I'm fine with that, just wish it had been handled better. In my book JCF will always get the credit for cultivating his talent and making him who he is from a pup.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Lopez and the brother definitely have a different coaching style and as Mox said, he maybe just wanted to rip the Daddy II cord. I'm fine with that, just wish it had been handled better. In my book JCF will always get the credit for cultivating his talent and making him who he is from a pup.

Agree, JFC has to get full credit for cultivating Alcaraz talent from a junior to a young adult player,
BTW JFC is now mentoring a young Spanish golf player.