Carlos Alcaraz has opened up about his struggles on indoor courts following a surprise defeat to Casper Ruud at the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin.
Alcaraz, currently ranked world No. 3, cited a lack of indoor court experience as a primary reason for his recent setbacks.
The young Spanish star lost to Ruud in straight sets, 1-6, 5-7, in an inconsistent performance that highlighted the struggles he has faced in adapting to indoor conditions.
The match in Turin followed another recent indoor defeat, when he fell to Ugo Humbert in the third round of the Paris Masters.
Despite his impressive record across other surfaces – including eight titles on clay, five on outdoor hard courts, and three on grass – Alcaraz has yet to clinch a title on indoor courts.
Alcaraz’s Struggles with Indoor Tennis Conditions
Alcaraz’s career has skyrocketed since breaking onto the tennis scene, but his success has largely been tied to outdoor tournaments.
When asked about his difficulties on indoor surfaces, the 21-year-old admitted that the main issue was his relative inexperience playing under these conditions.
“I have no experience playing on indoor courts,” Alcaraz said in a press interview. “I could practice a lot on indoor courts, but I have not [had] matches in my back on indoor courts.”
Indoor tennis can be challenging for players used to outdoor play. The lack of wind, unique lighting, and slightly faster conditions are known to change the game dynamics.
Without natural elements, players rely more on precise shot-making and rapid reactions, aspects that favour players with a background in indoor competitions.
For Alcaraz, the challenge lies in adjusting his outdoor-tuned instincts and techniques to a controlled, confined environment.
Despite his early career indoor setbacks, Alcaraz remains optimistic about his potential to excel in these conditions. “I’ll be a really good player on indoor courts, I’m sure about it,” he declared confidently.
“But I think it’s about time, about getting experience, getting matches in my back, hitting on indoor courts. I don’t feel that I’m a bad player indoors. I don’t feel that I’m a bad player indoors.”
However, he acknowledged that some players currently outperform him on indoor surfaces due to their extensive experience. “Probably I’m going to say a lot of players are better than me on indoor courts,” Alcaraz admitted.
Alcaraz says the reason he struggles on indoor courts is because he doesn’t have many indoor matches under his belt, ‘I have no experience playing on indoor courts’
“Obviously you are excellent on clay, grass, hard court. What makes it difficult for you indoor? Not talking… pic.twitter.com/AieSxjyNr0
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 11, 2024
What’s Next for Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals?
Following his defeat to Ruud, Alcaraz will face another tough opponent in Andrey Rublev in his second group stage match in Turin.
While he will be determined to overcome his indoor obstacles, Alcaraz remains realistic about his current capabilities and the adjustments he needs to make to compete at the highest level in indoor tournaments.
The ATP Finals in Turin, along with the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, present crucial opportunities for Alcaraz to gain more indoor match experience.
With his consistent growth and adaptability in recent years, many analysts believe it is only a matter of time before Alcaraz masters indoor play, adding to his already diverse skill set.
