Carlos Alcaraz admits to having a ‘long look’ at draw as he seeks to defend French Open crown

Carlos Alcaraz has said that he has taken a ‘long look’ at the French Open draw just days before he attempts to defend his Grand Slam title.

Alcaraz was due to begin his title defence against Kei Nishikori, but the former Grand Slam finalist was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to back discomfort.

Instead, the four-time Grand Slam champion will face qualifier Giulio Zeppieri – who is currently ranked as the world No 306.

“It feels great to be back here in Paris, in Roland-Garros,” Alcaraz stated, during his pre-tournament press conference.

“It reminds me a lot from last year, living again that feeling that I had last year, it’s great, having the practices here.

“I’m just trying to get ready as soon as possible and to have a great level to start the tournament.”

The defending champion will have to be in similar form to his 2024 Parisian effort if he wishes to lift the trophy again, being projected – by seeding – to face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Ben Shelton in the fourth round, Casper Ruud or Tommy Paul in the quarter finals, and either Taylor Fritz or Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-final.

Alcaraz did manage to avoid landing in the same half as Alexander Zverev, Jack Draper, and Novak Djokovic, with rival Jannik Sinner automatically being placed on the opposite side of the draw due to their respective rankings.

“I had a long look on the draw, but it wasn’t at my draw, honestly. I just saw the first round and the second round obviously,” he admitted

“I don’t really look that far for my side. I just have a global view of the draw, because I know in the Grand Slams there are always really great matches in the first rounds.

“I’m just curious to see what first round is gonna happen and to be able to watch it. I just love to watch the draws.”

The world No 2 is undoubtedly the favourite in Paris, having won the title in Monte Carlo and Rome, as well as reaching the final at the ATP 500 event in Barcelona.

Despite filling that position, Alcaraz believes that almost ‘everyone’ can win the French Open title, due to the overall level of the top 30 being ‘really strong.’

“I think in general, the top 20, 25, 30, they have really high level of tennis. We could see it right now, for example, (Jakub) Mensik is 20, 21 (world No.19) and he won Miami. That means how strong is the top 30 right now,” the Spaniard analysed.

“Ten years ago, the top 10 was much stronger than now, could be, but in general, the top 30 I think right now is really, really strong.

“We have a really open draw that everyone can make really good results or even win the tournament, so I think that’s really good for tennis.”

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The Spaniard’s last match before the French Open was the final of the Masters 1000 event in Rome, where he defeated Jannik Sinner 7-6(5), 6-1.

Although Alcaraz has now won their last four meetings – claiming nine of the 12 sets played – tennis pundits and fans are clearly excited about the prospect of the two continuing to fight for titles in the future.

“I think for the people, for the tennis fans, I think it’s great to have a match-up from some players that make them excited about watching that match [against Sinner],” Alcaraz said.

“Right now I think the people are excited every time that I’m facing Jannik. Our matches I think are a really high quality of tennis.

“I think for the people and probably the people who don’t like watching tennis, I think (our rivalry) is something that because of that (they have) started to watch tennis.”

The two highest-ranked ATP singles players have claimed all of the last five Grand Slams, with Sinner claiming three and Alcaraz claiming the other two, a level of domination not seen – outside of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer – since the early 2000s.

“I’m not gonna put myself or the great rivalry that I have with Jannik at (the) same level as those legends,” admitted Alcaraz

“Let’s see in the future how it’s gonna be. Right now for sure I’m not going to put ourselves into that table of that rivalries, but I think people are excited about watching our matches.”