Before Melbourne comes New York City.
Tonight, Alcaraz squares off against Ben Shelton in The Garden Cup exhibition at Madison Square Garden just a mile away from the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Rockefeller Center.
MSG Networks and Tennis Channel will be airing The Garden Cup live from Madison Square Garden starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time. In an all-American clash, US Open finalist Jessica Pegula plays US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro.
Meeting about eight members of the media in a round table Q & A at the Essex House on Central Park South on Tuesday, Alcaraz addressed his ambition.
“I’m sure that sooner or later I’ll be Australian [Open] champion,” Alcaraz told Tennis Now. “Hopefully, this year. For me, it’s really, really important to complete the career Grand Slam.”
Fourteen years ago, Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz’s tennis hero and Olympic doubles partner, won the 2010 US Open to complete the career Grand Slam at the age of 24. Roger Federer, Alcaraz’s stylistic inspiration, was 27 years old when he defeated Robin Soderling in the 2009 Roland Garros final to win his first French Open and complete the career Grand Slam.
After Alcaraz and his Spanish Davis Cup teammates helped give Nadal an emotional send-off at last month’s Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Spain, the Wimbledon winner took a much-needed break to rest and recharge. Alcaraz and some of his best friends went to the Dominican Republic.
When he’s wrapped up his American exhibitions, Alcaraz said he will return home to Spain to rest and train ahead of his Melbourne mission.
“I had one week and a half where I did not touch a tennis racquet,” Alcaraz said. “I just throw it in my room and I did not want to see it again.
“I took time to disconnect a little bit…to have more energy when I’m gonna come back. I spent time with my family, with my friends. Three or four days I at home and then I went to Punta Cana [Dominican Republic] with my friends. That really helped me a lot. Rest a little bit mentally and physically a as well.
“All December I’m going to spent at home practicing for preseason. Being at home for me for a month is [unusual]. So I’m going to try to enjoy as much as I can that time and train and try to be ready for Australia.”
