After the easy success over the Brazilian Seyboth Wild, beaten with a double 6-3, Carlos Alcaraz returned to talk about Jannik Sinner. When asked about the Italian’s chances of winning in Madrid, the Iberian made his vision on the issue clear: “He’s not used to playing here in Madrid. He hasn’t competed in this tournament since 2022 and hasn’t played much here in general. I don’t know how he will adapt to the altitude but his first shift was impressive. Obviously, in every tournament he plays, he is one of the favorites to win. I will try to play my best tennis and not let him win any more titles (he smiles, ed.), but at the moment things are quite complicated.”
The 20-year-old Spaniard, seeded n.2 of the Masters 1000 in Madrid, also spoke about his relationship with clay: “I grew up playing on this surface and my shots adapt quite well to the clay. But whether I play on grass or hard, my style and my shots adapt to those surfaces. Of course, I feel particularly comfortable on clay, but if you look at my matches, it doesn’t seem like I’m a red ball specialist because I try to go to the net and play winners without too much top spin.”
The number 3 in the ATP ranking focused on his recent injury (which prevented him from playing the tournaments in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona) and his state of form: “At the moment I think I’m in good shape. I have no forearm problems and I’m playing good tennis. I’m clearly not hitting my forehand 100% or the way I used to hit before the problem. I try to play my forehand as relaxed as possible and to do it early. I’m really happy to have no pain, to be competitive and I remain focused on this aspect every day.”
The two-time Madrid tournament champion is seeking his sixth Masters 1000 title, his second of the season, after lifting the trophy at Indian Wells. In the next round Carlos will find Jan-Lennard Struff, beaten here 12 months ago: “I hope the result is like last year’s final. I know her level. I know his tennis and I know I have to play my best if I want to beat him. I will focus a lot on the response, trying to make him play as many balls as possible.”
