Carlos Alcaraz is clear about his great short-term goal: regain the world number one held by Novak Djokovic at the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells (California).
“I will do everything“, the current world number 2 told the media when asked about his ambitions in the California desert.
“For me, winning this tournament and being number one again is a big goal. I’m going for itadded Alcaraz.
The Spaniard could oust Djokovic, low in Indian Wells due to not being vaccinated against Covid, if he wins the Californian tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz, who won the US Open in September, broke the record for becoming the youngest world number one in history, at the age of 19.
however, his repeated physical problems cost the Serbian first place including his 22nd Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January.
Despite these physical problems, which forced him to withdraw again last week in Acapulco (Mexico), Carlos Alcaraz is confident heading into Indian Wells, where he is seeded number 1 and He starts in the second round on Saturday against Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.
“Of course, there are many good players in this draw who have a chance to win the tournament.but I said I also have possibilities”, he affirmed.
Regarding the series of injuries sustained since last fall, “I’m not worried at all. I’m doing well off the pitch… I’m doing a good job and sometimes it’s just unlucky“Alcaraz said.
In the California desert, the Murcian will test the competition if he has fully recovered a hamstring injury in his right leg that prevented him from performing 100% in the final in Rio de Janeiro – he lost against Cameron Norrie – and forced him to withdraw from the Acapulco ATP last week.
Kokkinakis, one of Nick Kyrgios’ best friends, with whom he won the 2022 Australian Open doubles title, also won his only individual trophy on the ATP circuit last year, in Adelaide, where he reached the semifinals in January, at the moment his best result. of 2023. Alcaraz and Kokkinakis will cross rackets for the first time this Saturday.
If he goes through the rounds, maybe later Tallon Griekspoor (3rd round), Pablo Carreño, Daniel Evans (eighth), Felix Auger-Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz, Tommy Paul (fourth), Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune or Jannik Sinner (semifinals ). Spanish tennis player’s rival.
On the other side of the frame, Leading the seeding list are Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev to reach the hypothetical final in Indian Wells, with the current champion being the American Taylor Fritz.
Source: La Verdad
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