Carlos Alcaraz has played in hundreds of locations around the world — many of them, multiple times. And while the familiarity is great, the world’s top-ranked player said he looks forward to the opportunity to add new venues to his list.
Alcaraz will get a chance to do just that at the Prudential Center on Dec. 7, when he will play Francis Tiafoe in ‘A Racquet at the Rock’ event.
The event, the first-ever tennis match at the Prudential Center, also will feature a match between Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula (who is replacing an injured Emma Raducanu).
The event will feature two best-of-three-set matches, with a 10-point tiebreaker to be used if a third set is necessary. (Tickets are still available.)
Alcaraz, on a call promoting the event, said he’s looking forward to playing at the Prudential Center — and hopeful that the energy the fans provide at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadow, N.Y., will come to Newark.
“I love playing in different places,” he said.
Alcarez said he hopes the new venue will bring a new energy.
“I think it’s going to be great for me to feel and experience something different,” he said.
Of course, whenever you play the charismatic Tiafoe, the energy level is a bit higher, Alcaraz said.
The two certainly have had some historic battles.
In 2022, Alcaraz beat Tiafoe in five sets in a U.S. Open semifinal, propelling him to his first grand slam title.
In 2024, Alcaraz won the final two sets to beat Tiafoe in a five-setter in the Round of 32 at Wimbledon.
The only time they’ve played since was in March, an entertaining exhibition before the tour event at Indian Wells in California.
Alcaraz said the chemistry between the two — combined with the fact that this will be an exhibition — will make a fan-friendly event with plenty of highlight shots.
“I’m really excited about it,” he said. “It’s been a really long since I’ve been on the court with Francis. I’m really looking forward to playing against him. We’re going to entertain people for sure.”
Alcaraz touched on a number of topics. Here’s a snapshot.
On the most recent season, which saw him win the French and U.S. Open (but fall in the Wimbledon final) on the way to the No. 1 ranking:
“From Monte Carlo to the end of the year, it’s been my best tennis. I’m really happy with the way that I handled the pressure (and) how I grew up as a player, as a person. I learned how to see the situations much better on the court. Mentally, I am stronger.”
On missing the Davis Cup due to injury: “It’s a bit disappointing, not being able to play in the Davis Cup. I was really looking forward to playing for Spain.”
On a new signature logo: “All I can say right now is, ‘I’m still working on it.’”
On winning the Australian Open, which not only would complete the grand slam (and make him the youngest player to do so): “Having the record of being the youngest player to complete the grand slam is sticking in my mind.”
On his latest new look: He now has blond hair after sporting a buzz cut at the U.S. Open: “I would say, now is to do something different. I’m not going to experiment with my hair when I am 30 or 35. I think it is the right time to try something.”
