Carlos Alcaraz maintains that he’s nonetheless the identical teenager he was once earlier than successful the US Open and turning into the youngest World No. 1 in ATP historical past, at the least so far as his regular life is anxious. Taking over Casper Ruud within the closing at Flushing Meadows this 12 months, Alcaraz scored a four-set victory to raise his maiden Grand Slam title.
Talking at his press convention forward of the 2022 Paris Masters, the highest seed was requested if there was something totally different about his life now that he’s a Grand Slam champion. The Spaniard, nonetheless, answered within the unfavourable, stating that his family and friends nonetheless deal with him the identical, despite the fact that he admitted that the tennis a part of his life – the media protection and the way understand him – has undergone a large shift in the previous few months.
“Properly, I did not change in any respect. I simply had — properly, a number of issues modified however I did not change myself, you understand, as an individual,” Alcaraz stated. “I feel that the people who find themselves round me, my household, my crew, my buddies, I imply, nothing change with them, with my regular life, as an example. After all, I imply, the media, the followers, as an example, that is a part of course change lots, however in my regular life, as an example nothing change.”
The World No. 1 was nonetheless in disbelief over how rapidly his goals have been realized, with all the things coming collectively a lot quicker than he might have ever imagined. As sudden because it was, Alcaraz was joyful to have achieved what he has achieved.
“It was my dream to win a Grand Slam, to change into No. 1 of the world, however I did not count on to do this at 19 years outdated, you understand. Every thing got here so quick, quicker than I might think about,” he stated. “Yeah, proper now I can notice what I did, my dream got here true, however in fact it was sudden.”
Carlos Alcaraz additionally touched on his knee harm forward of his opener towards Yoshihito Nishioka, remarking that it was nothing severe and that it was simply the standard wear-and-tear that got here with an extended season.
“Properly, just a few somewhat issues. You understand, I will say as each participant on the finish of the 12 months have issues of their our bodies, you understand, and it’s important to play with that just a bit bit,” Carlos Alcaraz stated. “However not too severe.”
“I do not really feel the stress; I simply put that aim myself, to finish because the No. 1” – Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has particular plans to finish the 12 months because the World No. 1, regardless of Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas scorching on his heels. The Spaniard, nonetheless, didn’t see it as further stress, noting that he was merely going to attempt his greatest at each match and maintain having fun with his tennis.
“Properly, I do not really feel the stress. I simply put that aim myself, you understand, to finish because the No. 1. However in fact is absolutely powerful one. There may be nice gamers behind me, and, yeah, they’ve the possibilities, as properly,” Carlos Alcaraz stated. “So I do not take that as a stress. Simply attempting to point out my greatest in each match to, I imply, maintain taking part in, you understand, maintain going up. And yeah, that is what I’m. Simply get pleasure from taking part in tennis, and the stress is part.”
