Alcaraz on rival Sinner: ‘He can win everywhere he goes’

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Carlos Alcaraz has been a dominant force over the past two editions of the Mutua Madrid Open. The home favourite dropped just five sets in 11 matches across 2022 and 2023 at the ATP Masters 1000 event, where he this week starts his 2024 campaign as the second seed.

Yet the 20-year-old Alcaraz is in no doubt as to the quality of his rivals trying to prevent him becoming the first man to win three consecutive titles in the Spanish capital — not least top seed Jannik Sinner. The Italian may never have been past the third round at the Caja Magica, but Alcaraz does not think that will count much to a player who has made a 25-2 start to the year.

“He’s dangerous. He’s the best player in the world right now,” said Alcaraz of Sinner in his pre-tournament press conference. “I think [some people] think his tennis doesn’t suit well to the clay, but he has had results on clay as well.

“He can win every tournament he goes to, and obviously I’m fighting with him and with Novak to be World No. 1. I’m trying to stay there, but honestly it is going to be difficult.”

After a solid start to the year on hard courts that included lifting his fifth Masters 1000 crown last month in Indian Wells, Alcaraz is preparing for his 2024 clay-court debut in Madrid. A right arm injury prevented him from playing in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, and the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings is looking forward to stepping back on court at a tournament where he feels at home. The presence of record five-time champion Rafael Nadal in the draw, likely for the last time in Madrid, has only heightened that excitement.

“For me it’s really important to be at 100 per cent here in this tournament,” said Alcaraz. “Playing here is so special. It’s the tournament where a lot of family can come to watch my matches, a lot of friends as well, and for me it’s really special to play in front of my home crowd as well.

“I would love to play at 100 per cent just to give them the opportunity to enjoy my tennis and give myself the chance to get a good result here. Obviously, it would be great to play a final against Rafa, but it is a long path.”

The 13-time tour-level champion Alcaraz will begin his campaign against Arthur Rinderknech or Alexander Shevchenko on Saturday in Madrid. He has already had to deal with some big-stage nerves in the Spanish capital, however, after he presented Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham with the Breakthrough of the Year trophy at the Laureus Sports Awards on Sunday night.

Look who it is 👀 @LaureusSport | #Laureus24 | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/VzcmtwrFRK

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 22, 2024

“Honestly, I didn’t feel comfortable on the stage. I was so nervous,” said Alcaraz, when asked if he was becoming more comfortable mixing with other global stars. “I practised that speech during the week almost 50 times just to make sure it was going to be perfect.

“My legs were shaking. Honestly, I’m not used to doing a speech in front of legends of the sport and those kinds of people. It was a great experience. It was a beautiful moment for me, giving the award to Jude, who I have huge respect for. He’s a tremendous athlete, so it was a great moment for me that I was glad to have.”