In Paris, suddenly, an oasis: incredible but true, the sun rises. And there in front, on two adjacent courts of the Jean Bouin complex – just 500 meters from the Roland Garros complex – Carlos Alcaraz and his rival this Tuesday in the quarterfinals (not before 8:15 p.m., Eurosport) enjoy the warmth and They work hard on the volley during their respective training sessions, forehand-backhand, forehand-backhand, forehand-backhand… “One more!”, the Murcian asks his older brother, the strong Álvaro, who pumps so that the number three of the world polishes one last time a blow that, perhaps, could prove decisive in the crossing against the Greek, whom it has defeated the five times that its strength has been measured. The network, the territory of the intrepid, a differential space; the swordsmen tune the foil. The story of Athens is explained, and the story is about brothers. Also of love.
“We are tennis players, but we are also people with feelings,” commented the Spanish Paula Badosa on Saturday, referring to the romantic relationship she has with him, registered this edition in the three modalities: singles, doubles and mixed doubles. “Well, everything is for love, and combining love with tennis is quite exceptional,” argued Tsitsipas, a special tennis player, a singular type; love, yes, but to a certain extent. At this point and with the duel against Alcaraz in sight, it is not advisable to force and hence the last minute renunciation of the third format. “Well, each player is a way. For me, first I would have to put myself in the situation of if I had a girlfriend, but… We are in a tennis tournament and, personally, I would look at the professional part, but if he is physically well… Why not? Forward. No one is the one to tell another not to do something,” said Alcaraz.
The fact is that Tsitsipas has not only taken to the court with his brother Petros, two years younger, but the connection also works well. They are making progress in Paris – this Monday they defeated the Dodig-Krajicek duo, champions last year – and, a priori, they should also compete hand in hand at this summer’s Olympic Games. “He and Pavlos [18 años, el menor de los tres hermanos; Elisavet, la cuarta, tiene 16] They want to be professional, so I try to help them because I know how to get here. And Petros has decided to focus on doubles,” says the Greek, while at the Paris tennis party, everyone wonders why he made the decision, to do it simultaneously. And he reasons: “No one does. Because I do? You think and realize that you are in a phase of life where tennis brings you joy and pleasure, and you want to spend time with your loved ones.”
Technicians and experts agree in highlighting the juicy benefits of a modality in which the tennis player sharpens his reflexes and volleys, the game on the net. He has been experimenting with Tsitsipas for some time and, judging by the data offered by the tournament, the bet has not gone badly for him. Specifically, the Athenian, ninth best in the world at present, is the second player with the best percentage of success (76%) when he sneaks around the net, with the difference that the Italian Jannik Sinner (79%), at the top of the list , visit her much less frequently; 87 approaches by one, 141 by another. Alcaraz, then, can sense where the shots may go and is predisposed to the duel with some notable figures (71%, 65/91), a good cat he is, willing to face the melee, but without losing order.
“I know how I have to play him,” anticipates the one from El Palmar. And Tsitsipas goes deeper into the exhibition, Steve, what some in the circuit tell him. “I am always very focused on my things, so being here and being a little freer of spirit, so to speak, helps me to have a sweeter interaction with my game, to love it more,” he answers with existentialist strokes. “I have had several positive experiences in the past when I combined singles and doubles, and I think they have made me better. It makes me be more aggressive, get closer to the net,” continues the Monte Carlo champion and finalist in Barcelona, while announcing: “I want to go out there and show what I have inside. The goal is to annoy and challenge him as much as possible. “I feel like I’m in good shape and I think I’ve played good tennis on clay so far.”
Although he is now gaining media attention, probably because he appears beforehand in the three tables, his foray into the world of doubles comes from afar—from the ITF and the challengers, pre-professional tournaments—and has been making more or less sporadic appearances since 2018. This season, the service record reflects 11 games, with a balance of four wins and seven losses; He lost in the first round of the Australian Open and on the clay tour he tried with identical results in Godó, Madrid and Rome. “I have a dream with Petros, which is that we are one of the few brothers who have played together in the Olympic Games, especially in tennis. There is nothing stronger than that dream, and I really want to make it possible for both of us”, recapitulates the Greek dreamer, articulated today on the principle of all principles: love for all, in this case for his beloved companion.
You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes in Facebook and xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
