Alcaraz says he’s not worried about his trophy drought since Wimbledon
The Spaniard will be back to competitive action when he takes on Matteo Arnaldi in this year’s debut at Indian Wells.
The first Masters 1000 event of the year, Indian Wells, has started with some of the biggest names already taking the courts in the Californian desert. Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz are some of the biggest stars that will make their debut in the event this year, with lots of attention on the young Italian.
Carlos Alcaraz will undoubtedly be another main focus of attention, as the Murcia native is working to get back to his best shape, although he hasn’t been very successful over the last few months.
The two-time major champion has had to deal with injuries and fatigue, but also with the mental part of the sport, as he hasn’t been as tough as many would have expected in that department after he lifted the Wimbledon title last year.
After making it to the last round of Cincinnati and the US Open semifinals, the sparkle in his game seemed to have vanished and the 20-year-old talent hasn’t been able to win a title since his epic triumph over Novak Djokovic at the All England Club.
Alcaraz not worried about not winning titles
Juan Carlos Ferrero’s player, who also struggled after the US Open in 2022, is not worried despite the lack of titles and the criticism he has received lately.
Now, he will be looking to defend his title at Indian Wells after easily defeating Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final.
“A lot of players put a target on my back and every time I face them, they show their best level”, said Alcaraz, who became the youngest men’s world number one in history when he won the US Open in 2022.
“A lot of expectations and noises behind me probably is difficult to deal with, but I try not to think about it. I try to be on my own all the time, to stay away from all of that. But it is difficult sometimes -lots of tournament matches with people around-, so I would say that is the toughest thing”, he added.
Alcaraz recognized that after the American tour, in September, he started having problems to keeping his level.
“After Wimbledon, I did a pretty good American swing -final in Cincinnati, semi-finals in US Open-. That’s good results, honestly. But after that, I was struggling a little with my tennis, my joy. It doesn’t stress me so much not having titles or finals”, he admitted.
The former world No. 1, who won six titles in the first seven months of 2023, will face the talented Matteo Arnaldi in the first round. If he manages to come out on top, he will take on the winner of the Felix Auger-Aliassime-Corentin Lestienne match.