Carlos Alcaraz insists he will not be holding back as he bids to defend his US Open title.
The Spaniard arrived at Flushing Meadows having not played competitive singles since injuring his wrist in Barcelona in April, forcing him out of both the French Open and Wimbledon.
A quick tune-up alongside Serena Williams in the mixed doubles may have shaken off a bit of the rust but hardly seems enough preparation for the final grand slam of the year.
However, Alcaraz said: “I’m feeling great, and I’ve got to trust my team that tell me it’s gonna be fine.
“So I just have to go 100 per cent and right now I think with the practice I have made so far, it’s been all good. So I’m trying to stay away from that fear, and I’m playing normal.”
There were fears Alcaraz may have had to tinker with the playing style which has brought him seven major titles by the age of 23 in order to stop the problem from flaring up again.
Britain’s top player Jack Draper attempted to change his serve in a bid to get over his injury problems but remains frustratingly on the sidelines.
But Alcaraz said: “I have been doing the same things. I didn’t change anything about technique, about movement, about the way that I’m going to play. I just wanted to feel like I’m going to be myself.”
Alcaraz was not entirely out of the limelight during his time away from the court, after carrying the World Cup trophy on to the pitch at the MetLife Stadium before Spain’s win over Argentina.
“For me it was a lifetime experience, seeing Spain winning the World Cup,” he said.
“Louis Vuitton had the trunks that was carrying the trophy, so they told me that I’m down to do it. And, I mean, it was a lifetime experience for me, like holding the trophy in the ceremony, to give it to them, you know, on the field. So it was a great experience.”
Second seed Alcaraz begins his campaign against Russian Roman Safiullin, ranked 98, in round one.
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