Carlos Alcaraznumber two in world tennis, will defend “with the same game, but with more maturity and more experience”the title he achieved in 2022 on Madrid.
“My game hasn’t changed muchwhat changed was that within a year I lived a wonderful moment and other regular and I have had experience with them all. From Carlos last year until now there is only one more maturity and more experience”said Alcaraz at the Caja Mágica, where he is already training to begin next Friday the search for the tenth title of his career, the second in the Spanish capital.
“Physically I feel one hundred percent and with a lot of desire to start”, he said in an appearance before the press. “With the level I showed in Barcelona,
The Murcian player was delighted with the anticipation created by this new participation in Madrid, where he is the first seed in the absence of the world number one, the Serbian Novak Djokovic.
“I don’t consider it as pressure, but quite the opposite, as motivation”he assured. “I want to play in front of so many people, and more so in Spain, in front of my people. The intention is to enjoy and make them happy,” he said.
“Every tournament I think I can win, but if I don’t do it for myself, it won’t be a failure. It’s just because of the level presented, or because of the attitude, which for me is the most important thing. If I’m fine upside down, if I lose, I won’t consider it a failure,” he said about his expectations in the land of Caja Mágica.
In addition to Djokovic, the tournament will suffer other notable absences such as Rafael Nadal or the Italian Jannik Sinner, a circumstance that does not make Alcaraz feel “more favorite or anything.”
“When the best isn’t there, it’s a bit easier, but all the players have a very high level. I think every player can win the title”, he indicated, before highlighting the choices of his generation: “There are young people, including myself, who fought for the best titles in the world and here not they were left behind. Even if Rafa and Djokovic are there, they have a chance to beat them.”
Whether Alcaraz reaches Roland Garros as world number one will largely depend on what he does in Madrid, a fact that, he assures, does not worry him.
“Reclaiming number one is a goal, but facing Paris doesn’t change much from being number one or two. It’s not that important for me”, affirms Alcaraz. “We don’t think about defending the points from last year, but about showing the best level in every game. When I enjoy the track that’s when my best version comes out.”
The 19-year-old player – he will turn 20 on May 5, the day of the semifinals of the Madrid tournament – reiterated that his fun style is non-negotiable, on any track and in any tournament.
“My style is to do different things and that comes out when I’m enjoying myself. At a bad moment in the game, I even joke with the team to change my perspective,” he commented.
Alcaraz, who is exempt in the first round, will have as his first opponent the winner of the duel between the Finns Emil Ruusuvuori and the French Ugo Humbert.
Source: La Verdad
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