‘Do the things she told me to do’

Carlos Alcaraz is celebrating his US Open comeback. As the New York-based tournament kicked off, Alcaraz joined Serena Williams for one of the most exciting team-ups in modern tennis history. 

This Tuesday, Alcaraz and Williams played on the same team, with both sporting matching purple outfits. The two defeated Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool. 

“I’m playing next to the one and only Serena Williams, so what else could you do? Just enjoy… Trying to do the things she told me to do,” he said. 

When asked if he follows Williams advice, Alcaraz was quick with his response: “Obviously.”

The interviewer redirected the question to Williams, who laughed. “Yes, he does,” she said. 

© Getty

Alcaraz and Williams’ emotional return to the US Open

Alcaraz and Williams are having special tournaments at this US Open. In the case of Alcaraz, the tournament marked his first competition in months after recovering from a wrist injury. 

Following one of his training sessions, he spoke with journalists about his excitement to be back on the court. “Absolutely, after a couple of months recovering from my injury, I miss everything. I miss this place, I miss the crowd, I miss the ball kids,” he said. 

In the case of Williams, this marks her first appearance at the tournament in four years. “It’s always an amazing place to be here,” she said. “I never expected to be back on this court, so it’s just a really cool moment. I never thought this would happen.”

© Getty Images

Alcaraz revealed that he had some nerves when playing with an icon like Williams. “I think everybody could see… I double-faulted the first point, so yeah, I was really, really nervous,” he said. 

“I was out four months and a half, almost five months, I almost forget how it feels stepping onto the court once again.”

Alcaraz will continue his singles tournament this weekend, with him playing against Roman Safiulin. In the case of Williams, she’s not playing in the tournament’s singles competition. 

© Getty Images