‘Roland Garros is a clear short-term goal and I really want to win it,’ says ‘ambitious boy’
Carlos Alcaraz added a ninth singles title to his name over the weekend, but he has set himself some pretty lofty short-term goals as he looks ahead to Roland Garros.
Following his late start to the 2023 season due to injury Alcaraz has been playing catch-up, but he is taking big strides week in and week out as he already has three titles to his name.
After winning the Buenos Aires Open and Indian Wells Open, Alcaraz notched up another trophy on Sunday as he brushed aside Stefanos Tsitsipas to successfully defend his Barcelona Open title.
“I am a very ambitious boy and I always want more,” the 19-year-old said after his win. “I want to be better to win titles like in Barcelona. We will never be satisfied. I surround myself with ambitious people who are not satisfied with anything.”
Up next is another title defence, this time at the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Open, before he heads to Rome Masters for his maiden appearance at the Italian Open. However, Roland Garros the one trophy that he really wants to win.
“Roland Garros is a clear short-term goal and I really want to win it. But now Madrid and Rome are coming,” he said. “I’m going to Madrid to try to win. Not winning it won’t be a failure because that depends on the level I show and the way I play.”
READ MORE: WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz and ball kids go for spectacular pool dive after Barcelona Open win
The story of Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros so far…
The Spaniard, who on Sunday won his final title as a teenager as he will turn 20 during the Madrid Open, will make his third main draw appearance at Roland Garros this year.
He reached the third round on his debut in 2021 after coming through qualifying. By beating Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the first round, the 18-year-old became the youngest player since Novak Djokovic in 2005 to win a match at the French Open while he was also the youngest player to reach the third round in Paris since Andrei Medvedev in 1992.
His run was eventually ended by Jan-Lennard Struff as he lost in straight sets.
Last year he went two better as he reached the quarter-final. Seeded sixth, he defeated the likes of Sebastian Korda and Karen Khachanov to reach the last eight where he faced Alexander Zverev. The German was too good on the day as he secured a 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7) win.
Alcaraz should get a decent draw this year as he is set to be seeded second with Novak Djokovic likely to be top seed.
