Jimmy Connors reveals what he wants Carlos Alcaraz to do amid stunning clay form

Eight-time major champion Jimmy Connors has offered some advice to Carlos Alcaraz as he revealed the quality that he believes “makes a great player.”

Alcaraz has made a perfect start to the clay-court season, having won the eight matches he has played across Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

The world No 2 secured his maiden Monte Carlo Masters title last week in his first clay tournament since the Paris Olympics in August last year.

The 21-year-old did not always have his best tennis in Monte Carlo, but found solutions impressively as he battled back from a set down in three of his five matches.

The four-time Grand Slam winner has earned straight-set victories over Ethan Quinn, Laslo Djere and Alex de Minaur to progress to the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open.

The Spaniard is seeking his third crown at the ATP 500 tournament after triumphs in 2022 and 2023. He is on a 13-match winning streak in Barcelona, having missed the 2024 edition through injury.

Speaking with his son Brett on the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors urged Alcaraz to continue playing with the same grit he has displayed so far during the clay swing.

“Keep grinding, because when you keep grinding, the better player, not always, but the majority of the time, is going to come out on top, because he figures out a game to turn a game which is only 70 or 80% into a winner,” assessed the former world No 1.

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“That is the key. You can’t play 100% every time. Turning a game where you don’t feel right, or your game is not in order, or you are a little lethargic to still come out and win.

“That is what makes a great player in my opinion, but that is just my opinion. He has that ability. Especially on the clay.

“He is in a comfort zone now. Not that he isn’t on every other surface, because he has won other Grand Slams, but I think clay is a good comfort zone for him leading into the French, Wimbledon and the US Open.

“Once you hit the French, you have three or four months of strenuous tennis at the majors and if you can get on a roll at that time, wow, that is great.”

Alcaraz will face world No 14 Arthur Fils in the last four in Barcelona. The Spaniard prevailed in a thrilling three-setter against the 20-year-old Frenchman in the quarter-finals in Monte Carlo last week.

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