Carlos Alcaraz: "I try not to think about the pressure"

Carlos Alcaraz enter into action on Mutua Madrid is open in doubles against Marc Lopeztwo days before starting his journey at the individual table he faces with the highest aspiration because he is considered one of the best players of the moment.

The ninth place in the ranking and the three titles achieved so far shows the player from El Palmar as one of the most popular on the circuit. A year ago he made his debut in Madrid. But now it’s different.

“I grew up a lot as a player and as a person. Last year I came here to live these kinds of fights, to gain a little bit of experience, to test myself against the best players in the world. Now I am. consider myself one of them.I am in ninth position and I think I am a more mature player.Now I am approaching battles in a different way.I think I can win any kind of match while last year I probably had doubts, ”said the Murcian tennis player who won this year in Rio, Miami and Barcelona.

“In all the tournaments I’ve played, I think I could win. I think I have the level and physical condition to win here. But it’s tennis and anything can happen. I’m ready and I’m confident and I think I can make a very good result here in Madrid ”, said Alcaraz.

Alcaraz is considered positive to have played doubles before going into the singles draw. “Yes, of course. It’s not easy to play here on the Manolo Santana court. There are shadows and sun, everyone is behind you, and there are details you have to get. Doubles always help you with these details. because this kind of court is always hard to play ”.

The player from Murcia revealed that the idea of ​​sharing a team with Marc López was born from the Olympic champion himself in Rio 2016. “That was his idea. He sent me a text message and said he would play with his last tournament here in Madrid.He was very happy to play these doubles with me.I have no doubt said I was happy to play with him.And soon the coaches and other team members told me to go ahead and it always has special to play with someone like him. “

Alcaraz stressed the public support “from the first point to the last, very good. In addition, in practice they made me happy from the first day. I feel the love of the people and I am very lucky to experience this kind of thing. of moments. “

A year ago he played his birthday against Rafael Nadal. This is the first time the twenty -one Grand Slam has been measured. The Balearic prevailed with ease. For Murcian, however, it was a great birthday gift.

“My birthday is Thursday and I have a game on Tuesday. I hope I can play on my birthday. I wish that. It’s a special day, where last year I fought Rafa and this year I hope I can play the game on my birthday I will on Thursday. ” .

“It’s not easy to play at home. There are a lot of expectations, a lot of people who want to see you do well. But I am a player who takes it as a motivation, as an extra help. As I always said, in a tennis match, things can change. There may be very bright moments, and what I realize is playing here at home with your people, when you are faced with difficult moments, you have to think that you are in a unique moment to bring them back. moments around .overcome difficult moments “, indicated in the pressure of playing at home.

“I try not to think about the pressure. I’m trying to think about me just playing my best tennis on the court. I’m not thinking about the expectation right now,” he added.