Alcaraz fought four matches in a row after winning Wimbledon
Alcaraz had just one day off before flying to Nice for the Hopman Cup team tournament. He entered the David Goffin field on July 21, winning in three sets. The 20-year-old player then played the mixed doubles match but failed. A day later Alcaraz played a singles match against Croatia's Borna Coric, winning again in three sets.
The efforts of the Wimbledon champion did not help Spain avoid two consecutive defeats with the same score of 1-2, on clay. In this group, Croatia reached the final against Switzerland and then won the championship thanks to a 2-0 aggregate victory.
Hopman Cup is a team tournament established in 1989, belonging to the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The tournament was held continuously from 1989 to 2019 in Australia. This is the first year France has hosted, bringing the tournament to the clay court at the Nice Lawn Tennis Club. Spain has won the Hopman Cup four times, the most since 2013. They are the second most successful team, after the US with six championships.
"I've always been proud to represent my country," Alcaraz said of his decision to attend the Hopman Cup despite having worked so hard for the Wimbledon campaign. The 20-year-old will be absent from this week's Hamburg Open despite reaching the final last year. According to Spanish media, Alcaraz will take a week off before returning to the field to prepare for the Rogers Cup on August 7.
"The year-end hard court season will be very different from what just happened," said Alcaraz coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second half of the season. "We need to change a few things, adjust the tactics. Alcaraz also needs breaks to regenerate energy."
Alcaraz will focus on defending the US Open. Last year he was the youngest champion in the Open era. However, the Murcia player then fell, suffered an injury and took half a year to regain his top form.
"Alcaraz learned a lot after last year's hard court season," added coach Ferrero. "We think he's matured mentally this season."
