Rapid-rising Alcaraz feels no pressure
World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz heads into this week’s Miami Open looking to defend both his title and top ranking and admitting even he has been surprised by his dizzying rise to the top of the sport.
A year ago, the 19-year-old came to Miami on the back of wins on clay in Croatia and Brazil and hoping to make his mark on the hardcourts. His victory in South Florida launched a remarkable year.
The highlight was his US Open triumph which made him the youngest player to become world No.1 and he returns to Miami after last week’s win in Indian Wells, achieved without dropping a set in the tournament.
“It’s all been very fast, when I got to Miami last year I was around No.20 and a year later I am coming in with the No.1 ranking. That is something very special. I fulfilled my dreams quicker than I expected,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
Because of his victory in Miami last year, Alcaraz must win at the Florida event again if he is to hold on to his No.1 spot, but he says he feels no pressure in that regard or to meet newly raised expectations.
“I don’t feel the pressure too much. I know the things I have to do. I need to play relaxed and not mind if I lose or if I play well or not,” he said.
“My goal is always the same. To feel comfortable on court. To enjoy playing tennis and try to have great thoughts when playing. That is why I am playing at a good level.”
As at Indian Wells, world No.2 Novak Djokovic is missing after being refused entry to the United States due to his lack of a Covid vaccine and Alcaraz said he misses the Serb’s presence, along with the injured Rafael Nadal.
“I’m a professional tennis player, but also I’m a huge fan of tennis and I always want to watch the best players in the world, like Rafa, like Djokovic,” he said. “I played a couple of times against Rafa and I wish to play against him more and with Djokovic as well.”
DJOKOVIC HAS ‘NO REGRETS’
Djokovic said he had no regrets about missing tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami due to his Covid-19 vaccination status but hoped that he would be allowed into the United States later this year for the US Open.
The US currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entering the country, though the policy is expected to be lifted when the government ends its Covid emergency declarations in May.
Alcaraz leapfrogged the Serb back into top spot in the world rankings after winning the Indian Wells title on Sunday.
“I have no regrets,” Djokovic, 35, told CNN.
“I’ve learned through life that regrets only hold you back and basically make you live in the past.
“I don’t want to do that. I also don’t want to live too much in the future. I want to be as much as in the present moment but of course think about future, create a better future.
“So I congratulate Alcaraz. He absolutely deserves to come back to No.1.”
Djokovic said it was a pity he was not allowed to compete in the US where he has enjoyed plenty of success including three of his 22 major titles.
“It’s the current state or current situation that I hope will change for later this year, for the US Open. That’s the most important tournament for me on American soil,” the Serb said.