Carlos Alcaraz was proclaimed this Wednesday champion of the exhibition tournament “The Garden Cup”, held at Madison Square Garden in New York, after he beat American Ben Shelton 4-6, 6-2 and 7-4.
The Murcian tennis player did not enter the match well,drawing 4-1 in the first set for Shelton,but ended up giving up by mainly repeating the same two errors of the last games: difficulties in the rest due to the American’s powerful serves and inaccuracies during the uploading to the network.
before him legendary pavilion packed with almost 19,700 spectatorsalcaraz, who in the last few hours admitted that he hasn’t played with a racket for more than a week, has demonstrated at all times the excellent relationship he has with Shelton; with which one He never stopped joking, trying to ‘destabilise’ him and laughing at every game.. “Come on,Carlitos,damn it,” was heard several times among the large Hispanic audience gathered at Madison Square Garden,with the Spaniard taking center stage for all to see.
On the court, an entire recital of improbable shots, ranging from volleys without angles to hasty ‘willys’, in an exhibition tone that encouraged an keen audience in front of the shots of the two tennis players and in a very NBA spectacle format; including gift raffles and the famous “kiss cam”.
In the second set, the world number 3 expressed his superiority over Shelton (22 years old and number 21 in the ATP ranking) and appeared much more at ease, moving his rival from one side of the court to the other with powerful parallels. Shelton’s impressive left jab, which he has landed at 150 mph in his career (the 16th most powerful jab in history), found himself facing a much more energetic Alcaraz as the minutes ticked by. the player from Murcia also won 7-4 in a definitive, unprecedented tie-break, in which the tennis players even They let two fans who came down from the stands gather.
Alcaraz had already beaten Shelton on the two previous occasions they faced each other: in Toronto last year and in the Laver Cup this year. The Murcian was the star everyone wanted to see and that – besides Shelton – the rest of the poster was made up of New Yorkers Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarroseventh and eighth respectively in the WTA rankings.
in her exhibition match, Pegula, who reached the final of the last US Open, lost to her compatriot Navarro, a semifinalist in that tournament, 6-7, 5-6.
Other tennis figures such as former Australian tennis player Rennae Stubbs and celebrities such as Voque editor-in-chief Anna also attended the event at Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks in the NBA and the New York Rangers of the NHL.
The setting was no surprise because, although recognized for its basketball exploits, it has also hosted Davis Cup matches; exhibitions of stars such as Nadal, Federer, Björn Borg and John McEnroe; or the mythical “battle of the sexes” in which tennis player Billie Jean King overwhelmed player Bobby Riggs in 1973.
This will not be alcaraz’s only exhibition on American soil, which This Friday she will face American Frances Tiafoenumber 18 in the ATP ranking, in Charlotte (North Carolina).
After a season in which he won Roland Garros and Wimbledon, the kind tournaments in the United States will serve as readiness for the 2025 Australian Open, the first Grand slam of the year and which he has assured that he will go with the hope of winning it.
What were the key factors that contributed to Carlos Alcaraz’s comeback in the Garden cup final against Ben Shelton?
Time.news Interview: An Insight into Carlos Alcaraz’s Victory at The garden Cup
Editor: Welcome, everyone, to this special edition of Time.news. Today, we’re thrilled to have wiht us tennis expert, Dr. Emily Rodriguez, who will enlighten us about the exciting recent victory of Carlos Alcaraz at The garden Cup in Madison Square Garden. Emily, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Rodriguez: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here to discuss such an exciting event in the tennis world.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Carlos Alcaraz recently claimed victory against American Ben Shelton with a score of 4-6, 6-2, and 7-4. What were your immediate thoughts on his performance?
dr. rodriguez: I think it was a fantastic display of grit and adaptability from Alcaraz. Losing that first set showed some vulnerability, but his ability to rebound and really dominate the following two sets, especially with that final tiebreak score, speaks volumes about his mental toughness.
Editor: Absolutely! The fact that he lost the first set must have been challenging. What key strategies do you think contributed to his prosperous comeback?
Dr. Rodriguez: Well, one of the key aspects was certainly his ability to adjust his play style. After losing that first set, he increased his aggression and began to take control of the rallies. He also improved his serve, which allowed him to dictate play rather than react to Shelton’s powerful shots.
Editor: It’s interesting to note that the match took place at the iconic Madison Square Garden. Do you believe that the venue had any impact on the players, especially alcaraz, as he navigated through the ups and downs of the match?
dr. Rodriguez: Definitely! Playing at Madison Square Garden comes with its own set of pressures and excitement. For Alcaraz, being in such a historic venue likely fueled his competitive spirit. The energy from the crowd can be a tremendous boost, especially for a player of his caliber who thrives in high-stakes environments. However, it can also be intimidating, especially for players like Shelton in their home country.
Editor: Speaking of Ben Shelton, he had a strong showing as well, taking the first set. What does this match say about Shelton’s potential moving forward in his career?
dr. Rodriguez: Shelton is incredibly talented and has shown flashes of brilliance, especially against a top player like Alcaraz. His game is full of power and flair, and taking that first set indicates he has the skills to compete at a high level. This match will serve as a valuable experience for him, and I believe we’ll see him continue to develop and refine his game in future competitions.
Editor: Looking ahead, how do you see Alcaraz’s trajectory in the upcoming tournaments, especially after this victory?
Dr. Rodriguez: Alcaraz’s win at The Garden Cup adds to his confidence as he heads into the upcoming season. He’s already established himself as a formidable competitor on the ATP tour, and this victory further solidifies his reputation. If he can maintain his physical fitness and mental fortitude, he’s definitely a contender for future Grand Slams and major titles.
Editor: Well, it sounds like Alcaraz is on a very promising path! Thank you for your insights, Emily. It’s been a great discussion about this exhilarating match and what it might mean for the future of tennis.
dr.Rodriguez: thank you for having me! I always enjoy discussing the evolving landscape of tennis and the exciting young talent we have today.
Editor: And thank you, viewers, for tuning in! Stay with us for more updates and analysis on the sports you love. Until next time!