Carlos Alcaraz is not obsessed with being world No 1
Carlos Alcaraz is not obsessed with regaining the world No 1 ranking as soon as possible according to his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Alcaraz remains close behind Novak Djokovic despite dropping the 500 rankings points he earned in Rio this week last year.
The 2023 edition of the ATP 500 event takes place next week with Alcaraz set to restart his season at the ATP 250 Argentina Open in Buenos Aires this week.
“The goal of being No 1 is always in the mind but, naturally, it is not an obsession, because of his youth and because he has already been (there),” Ferrero said according to Tennis Infinity.
“Right now, what Carlos wants is to be healthy and be able to compete, he wants to show his best level and fight to win tournaments.”
Alcaraz said that his only focus was getting back to winning in a pre-tournament press conference at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
“I always arrive thinking about winning and wanting to win, even though it won’t be easy after such a long time without competing,” Alcaraz said.
“That’s why I’ve come a few days early, to train with really good players, gradually improve and to be able to start the tournament as well as possible.”
Despite having an incredible 2022, Alcaraz believes he can reach new heights in 2023.
“I’m certain that I need to continue to improve,” he insisted. “Achieving my dream very quickly caught me by surprise, so to speak. Now I’m used to it, I have a goal, I know where I want to get to, what I want to be, and that is the most important thing.
“I think I can improve everything in terms of my game, fitness and mentality.”
Alcaraz added: “Little by little, my team will take those small steps to get even better.”
“It [2022] was a very good year,” he said.
“I achieved my dream, my goal, very quickly. Practically in just a year. I dealt with it as naturally as possible.
“After becoming No. 1 I had to set new goals, new things for the long term, to continue to enjoy myself, continue to improve, because I’m very young and I have a lot of things to improve, despite being the No. 1.
“You have to keep training and looking forward.”
Alcaraz can claim his fourth clay court tournament title in Buenos Aires this week having tasted success at Rio, Barcelona and Madrid last year.
