The reigning champion announces that after the Principality on clay he will play Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Paris: “New year, new feeling. The important thing is to find good sensations on the pitch”
The reigning champion presents himself with Michael Jordan depicted on his shirt: “I have always admired his mental strength and his desire to win, for me he is a model”. Carlos Alcaraz, after the fireworks of the first two months of the year (victory at the Australian Open and then at the ATP 500 in Doha) and the sudden decline in the American swing (semi-final at Indian Wells but elimination in the third round in Miami), returns to Monte Carlo with the role of reigning Prince: a year ago he beat Musetti in the final and took off for an unreal season on clay: final in Barcelona, successes in Rome and above all at Roland Garros.
Goals
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Only this time, together with the defense of the title, the world no.1 is also up for grabs from Sinner’s assault, which in the meantime he will equal (Monday 6 April) for a total of weeks in the lead, 66. The eternal duel that is renewed, in short, even if Carlitos wants to think in perspective: “I missed the earth, finally the time has come to get my socks dirty. But I’m not thinking about the defense of the title, the number one, about winning again for strength: new year, new feeling. The important thing is to find good sensations on the pitch, a year ago I managed to win the tournament through difficult moments with complicated matches: the same mentality will be needed”. And maybe a resort to superstition: “I’m a bit superstitious, I always try to get the same locker, even if every year they add a few more and I get confused…”. But that Carlos wants to reaffirm his status as lord of the earth is confirmed by the calendar he intends to follow from here to Paris: “I will also play in Barcelona, which is a special tournament for me due to the warmth of the crowd, and then in Madrid, where I feel at home, and obviously in Rome, before arriving at Roland Garros. Mentally I’m ready, it will above all be about managing my physical energy between one match and another and between one tournament and another.” Before the round table with the journalists, as always he was overwhelmed by the affection of the younger fans, crowded around the training pitch: “I am so pleased with their passion, it makes me happy because it makes me feel at home on any pitch in the world”.
