Carlos Alcaraz’s opponent is ready for the challenge of facing the world No 1 at the US Open. The Spaniard will begin his title defence against Dominik Koepfer on Tuesday night but the world No 75 is feeling confident after playing against the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the past. And Koepfer has started the fighting talk already as he said Alcaraz wasn’t “perfect”.
While Alcaraz will return to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since winning the title 12 months ago, it will be a different story for his opponent. Koepfer is back in the main draw at the US Open for the first time since 2021 after an undiagnosed arm injury derailed his season.
A former world No 50, the German star is now back up to No 75 in the rankings and is looking forward to the chance to test himself against the current best player in the world. “He’s not perfect. No tennis player is perfect,” Koepfer told the ATP, discussing Alcaraz.
The 29-year-old is hoping to draw on his experiences of facing Djokovic and Federer – taking a set off of both men in the past. Koepfer lost to the Serb at the 2020 Italian Open and fell to Federer in four sets at the 2021 French Open.
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He continued: “I’ve played Novak before, won a set against him. I played Roger, I’ve played those guys before. It’s a different feeling because it’s just the name that makes you a little more anxious or nervous or makes it more special to play them.”
Turning his attention back to the current world No 1, Koepfer added: “But he’s just a tennis player, too. He’s going to miss some like every other guy too. Obviously, he’s a little faster than most guys. But I will just go out there and have fun and try my best.”
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While the world No 75 wasn’t putting Alcaraz on a pedestal, he admitted that the 20-year-olf was “the best player to watch right now”. And win or lose, Koepfer is happy to be back in the main draw of the US Open after losing in the first round of qualifying 12 months ago.
“I kind of see it as a payoff for the last year that I had,” he said of the chance to face Alcaraz on the main stadium court. “Just coming from 260 [in the world], playing first round of qualies here and losing to playing on Ashe in the night session against the No 1 in the world. It’s a win-win situation. I have nothing to lose. I’m excited to play him.”
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