Carlos Alcaraz says experience has been a difference-maker
Carlos Alcaraz insists that little has changed about his game in the last year, but he acknowledges that experience and maturity have helped him get better results.
Alcaraz keeps racking up titles and big wins and he finished 2022 as the world No 1.
He says that life on the ATP Tour is always a rollercoaster.
“My game hasn’t changed much over the last year,” Alcaraz told ATPTour.com.
“It’s been a time in which I’ve had some good moments and others not so good. The difference from last year’s Carlos to this year is maturity and experience.”
Alcaraz says he always believes he can win tournaments but doesn’t let losses weigh on him.
“Every tournament we go to, we think we can win it and we’re going to try and win it,” Alcaraz
“But if we don’t, it’s not a failure for me”, he explained. “Leaving a tournament thinking I have failed would have more to do with the level of my tennis or my attitude, that’s the most important thing for me. If I do well mentally and I play well, I don’t take it as a failure.”
Alcaraz is on a 14-match unbeaten run in Spain but says that he doesn’t feel extra pressure to perform at home.
“I don’t take it as pressure, actually the complete opposite”, he explained. “For me it’s motivation. It’s a pleasure to see so many people, I like playing in front of such big crowds, and even more so in Spain. It’s a really big motivation. Our intention is to have fun on court and also to entertain. When I manage to have fun on court I play my best tennis.
“My style of game is very lively, doing different things. The smile comes from within when I’m enjoying myself. With my team, when I’m feeling frustrated, we have a little joke about something to make me smile and change my perspective on the match.”
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Alcaraz once again comes into the Madrid Open off the back of a busy week in Barcelona, but he feels in tip-top shape.
“Physically, I feel good. I feel 100 per cent,” admitted Alcaraz.
“I can’t wait to get going in Madrid. With the level I produced in Barcelona, winning the title, I’m coming here with a lot of confidence. We all know it’s difficult to adapt to Madrid, but we have a few days before we start. I really can’t wait.”
