Young tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has bared his soul, revealing the immense pressure he feels while chasing after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. With Sinner currently serving a three-month ban for testing positive for a banned substance, the spotlight has been on Alcaraz to step up and fill the void left by his rival’s absence.
Despite starting strong by clinching the Rotterdam Open title, Alcaraz has struggled to maintain his momentum in subsequent tournaments. The Spaniard’s journey to the top has hit roadblocks, with a shock exit at the Miami Masters leaving him trailing Sinner by a significant 3,610 points.
In a candid confession during a press conference ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, Alcaraz admitted that the pressure of potentially reaching the world No. 1 spot has taken a toll on him. “A lot of people are telling me that I have the chance to become No. 1 if Jannik is not playing. So probably that pressure has killed me in some way,” Alcaraz shared.
Despite the mounting expectations, Alcaraz remains realistic about his chances, acknowledging that the gap between him and Sinner may be too vast to bridge during the clay season. With a mature mindset, he emphasized the importance of focusing on his game and not getting distracted by the rankings battle.
As Alcaraz gears up to face tough opponents in Monte Carlo, including Francisco Cerundolo and Fabio Fognini, the young star is determined to stay grounded and continue his quest for greatness on the court.
With the tennis world watching his every move, Alcaraz’s journey is one filled with challenges, but his resilience and dedication are sure to pave the way for a bright future in the sport.