By
Carlos Alcaraz completed another successful title defense at the Madrid Open on Sunday and will next compete at the Italian Open, but before that he will visit Paris.
After winning back-to-back Barcelona Open titles two weeks ago, he doubled up on Sunday in the Spanish capital of Alcaraz, defeating the lucky Jan Leonard Struff of Germany 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. His fourth championship of the year and his 10th singles title in the final.
«The ability to play important moments, I think I’m a player who grows in those moments, I do something different from other players, that defines me,» he said.
«What we say to ourselves with my team is that I’m a finalist, I’ve played 13 games and won 10. I’ll give my best at critical moments and I’ll improve.»
The Spaniard, who turned 20 on Friday, will not have much time to celebrate his latest success as he makes his Italian Open debut this week.
«These are very beautiful achievements, my 10th title, my fourth Masters 1,000, defending the title in Madrid. They are very big things, I am very proud of the achievements that I am achieving. I am an ambitious boy and we will go to Rome,» said the world number 2.
He missed last year’s tournament due to injury but is looking to finally realize his dream of playing in the main qualifier at the Foro Italico.
«I have never played there, it will be my first time,» he added later. I want to play there because I missed it last year. I wanted to play there since I was a kid. I don’t know how it’s going to go, the feelings there, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.»
However, before heading to Rome, he will stop in Paris as he attends the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday, having won the 2022 US Open and been nominated for the Player of the Year award for his impressive season. The smallest ATP number is 1.
He will then fly to Italy where he will spend the next two weeks before returning to Spain to make his final preparations for Roland Garros. The 20-year-old will return to Paris for the 2023 French Open, which starts on May 28.
While the Spaniard has won three titles on clay this year, his usual favorites Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have struggled with injuries. Nadal has yet to play on clay this year while recovering from a hamstring injury, while Djokovic missed the Madrid Open with an elbow problem.
Read more: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal ‘disrespected’ by Carlos Alcaraz
