Why Alcaraz’s personality resonates with Chinese fans

Carlos Alcaraz may be making only his second appearance at the Rolex Shanghai Masters this week, but the Spaniard has already forged a strong connection with Chinese fans.

“They are very passionate. The energy that they bring to me, to the matches, is insane. I like it,” Alcaraz told ATP Media. “I feel like they like when someone tries different shots or the match is becoming crazy in a certain way. It fits pretty well for my style, my personality on the court.”

The 21-year-old demonstrated that manner of fearless hitting and exciting shotmaking most recently in China’s capital city Beijing, where Alcaraz won an epic three-set final against rival Jannik Sinner on Wednesday. Fans will be looking ahead to a potential sequel, looming in the Shanghai semi-finals.

“I always think that when we play against each other, we put the level to the top. We bring a really high level of tennis,” Alcaraz said of his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Sinner. “I think that’s good for tennis, to bring some fans to tennis who have probably never watched tennis before…

“I always try to enjoy playing against Jannik. He pushes me to the limit every time. He makes me be a better player on court and try to find solutions. I think that’s the beauty of tennis.”

Alcaraz, who last year fell to Grigor Dimitrov in the Shanghai fourth round, boasts a 48-9 season record, according to the Infosys ATP Stats Win-Loss Index, with four titles: Indian Wells, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Beijing. After a shocking second-round exit at the US Open, the 16-time tour-level titlist quickly regrouped. Alcaraz is on a nine-match winning streak entering the season’s eighth ATP Masters 1000 event.

“I’m enjoying when I’m playing. I wanted to travel again, play tournaments. I’m excited for what’s next… After [the American hard-court swing], I had my days off and put myself on the [court] again, working hard again for the next tournaments and try to be healthy, to be ready, strong physically, mentally,” Alcaraz said.

“I think I did pretty well. The last month has been a really good month for me with my team. When I’m feeling great off the court and travelling, I enjoy playing on court and I can show my best tennis.”

Seeded third, Alcaraz faces a tough test in his opening match. The five-time ATP Masters 1000 champion meets home favourite and #NextGenATP Shang Juncheng, who recently won his first tour-level title in Chengdu. The 19-year-old lefty is at a career-high No. 51 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Alcaraz and Shang met in the third round of this year’s Australian Open, but the Chinese teenager was forced to retire due to injury in the third set.

Should Alcaraz win the Shanghai title, he would become the youngest champion in tournament history and first Spaniard to lift the trophy.

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