Carlos Alcaraz has officially entered this year’s Vienna Open, according to a press release issued by the tournament on Thursday morning.
The world No.3 has changed his scheduling plans following the decision to delay the extravagant Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia due to ‘organizational and logistical challenges associated with hosting the tournament.” Offering a staggering £1.2m to every competing player and an extra £3.5m for the winner, the exhibition event has been in doubt amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen. Recent missile attacks on Saudi Arabia’s airports have killed at least 20 people and injured hundreds more.
As a result, Alcaraz will be playing in Vienna for the first time in five years. According to the tournament, he is set to arrive on Saturday 24th October and will play his opening match the following Tuesday.
“Everything happened very quickly after that, and Carlos agreed to come to Vienna without much hesitation,’ Tournament Director Herwig Straka said in a statement.
“I am delighted that we will be able to welcome him to the Erste Bank Open this year. He is one of the most exciting players and personalities on the ATP Tour and captivates an enormous global fanbase. His commitment is a tremendous honour for our tournament.”
Alcaraz’s only previous appearance in Vienna was in 2021 when he reached the semi-finals before losing to Alexander Zverev, who is also playing in this year’s tournament. Only one Spanish player has won the event since it was upgraded to an ATP 500, David Ferrer in 2015.
During the Asian swing, Alcaraz has experienced mixed results. At the Japan Open, he claimed his 27th Tour-level title by beating Jiri Lehecka in the final. However, at the Shanghai Masters, he suffered a shock third-round loss to Zizou Bergs.
“Taking the positive things from today is really difficult,” Alcaraz said after losing to Bergs. “Right now I [haven’t taken] them yet. So, I will try the next few days to think clearly. Right now, all the negative thoughts come to my mind and none of the positives. But I think I will take the good things about having matches.
“I can re-watch the matches with my coach, with my team. It’s going to be really helpful for the next tournament. But just happy with the way that I’m playing lately, and obviously positive tournaments, the latest ones.”
Besides Alcaraz and Zverev, other players entered in Vienna include Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Alex de Minaur, and Frances Tiafoe.
