Jiri Lehecka Sheds Light on Perspective Change After Meeting Happy Kids in Hospital Ahead of Carlos Alcaraz US Open Clash

Jiri Lehecka will play the US Open quarterfinal in only his fourth main draw appearance. But progressing beyond the last eight is expected to be nothing but tough, given that he will be up against none other than Carlos Alcaraz.

Lehecka, however, has learned to keep additional pressure at a distance. An injury lay-off, and observing kids at a hospital helped him enjoy his life as well as his career. He said at the press conference:

Back then, I remember that I was coming for a treatment to the hospital, and I saw little kids who were very, very sick, and they were enjoying life, and I was, like, feeling like that it’s the end of the world for me, and I can’t play only because my back hurts.

The Czech ace has met Alcaraz twice and was able to beat him once, in the quarterfinal of this year’s Qatar Open. The Spaniard then avenged his defeat with a three-set win in the final of the Queen’s Club Championships, winning his fourth grass-court title.

That was the moment when I really, like, something switched. Since that moment, I kind of feel that, of course, I love to win. I like to play the game. It’s something I wake up every morning with the goal to improve, and I think all the players here at the biggest stage they have the same.

Jiri Lehecka added

It’s the second time Lehecka will be playing in a Grand Slam quarterfinal, with the first appearance in the round coming at the 2023 Australian Open. The World No.21 has so far featured in five finals, winning the 2024 Adelaide International and this year’s Brisbane International. He has not yet reached the final of tournaments in the Masters 1000 or above category.

Arthur Rinderknech on his match against Carlos Alcaraz

Arthur Rinderknech was successful in extending the first set to a tie-breaker during his fourth-round clash with Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open. But that was all the damage he could do as the World No.2 shifted his gears and ended the match in straight sets. It was the Frenchman’s fourth straight defeat to the five-time Grand Slam champion.