Carlos Alcaraz is paying the price for the intensity and high temperatures in Melbourne (30 degrees on Friday) in his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev. Despite leading by two sets to nil, the world number one went to his bench in the seventh game of the third set to inform them that he was feeling unwell.
“I have vomited, I don’t know if I have to take something, I’m just telling you,” he told the members of his bench, who encouraged him to stay focused to win as soon as possible.
Carlitos is feeling the heat and whenever he can he takes refuge in the shadows at the back of the court. With 4-4 he started to notice cramps and began to stretch his legs. It had been 2 hours and 37 minutes since the start of the match.
Breathe well, we have two sets
Three minutes of medical attention and pickle juice
The world number one called for the presence of the physiotherapist, with the score at 5-4 in his favour, to massage the area for three minutes. Zverev complained to the tournament supervisor, Swiss Andreas Egli: “That’s bullshit. How can you be treated for cramps? These two are always protected.” He was referring to Jannik Sinner without naming him.The six-time major champion took a bottle of pickle juice out of his bag to combat the cramps
“Breath well,” his coach, Samuel Lopez, told him. “We have two sets,” Samu took the floor after each point to encourage his pupil: “Very intelligent that effect”. Carlitos, with reduced mobility, served without jumping.
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