Carlos Alcaraz is able to take high billing at a grand slam for the primary time as he steps into Rafael Nadal’s clay-court sneakers.
With the 14-time champion selecting to sit down out a piece of the season forward of an anticipated swansong subsequent 12 months, Spanish hopes on the French Open now relaxation on Alcaraz’s younger shoulders.
The 20-year-old claimed his first grand slam title on the US Open final summer time however was compelled to sit down out the Australian Open by way of damage, so he’ll be coming into a serious as a slam champion for the primary time.
He can be the No.1 seed after surpassing Novak Djokovic following back-to-back titles in Barcelona and Madrid.
“For me, it’s still crazy to see myself as top seed in a grand slam,” he stated on Friday.
“But at the same time it’s great. It’s something that I work for to be there. I’m really happy to be number one seed here at Roland Garros.”
Alcaraz’s swift rise and instantaneous reputation has been a present to the game because it faces shedding all of its long-time figureheads.
Nadal will miss the match for the primary time since 2004, and his younger compatriot stated: “I felt bad when I heard that Rafa was not able to play here in Roland Garros and probably the rest of the year.
“As a fan of tennis, I at all times need to watch Rafa enjoying. I at all times need to watch the very best gamers on this planet enjoying the tournaments.
“And of course learning from them really close, here in the locker rooms, around the club, the tournament, for me is great.
“When I heard that it was robust to grasp how it should be with out Rafa this 12 months. Hopefully, we’ll see him subsequent 12 months and he is 100 per cent.”
Nadal cited the Paris Olympics, where the tennis will be held at Roland Garros, as a key target for next season, and Alcaraz welcomed the idea of the two men playing doubles together for Spain.
“It could possibly be a dream enjoying doubles with him within the Olympics,” he said. “So after all let’s examine. Let’s see how he is doing and the way he is going this 12 months. Hopefully he is going nice.”
Alcaraz could potentially meet Djokovic in the semi-finals, with Daniil Medvedev having overtaken the Serbian to claim the second seeding by virtue of winning his first tour title on clay at the Italian Open last weekend.
Medvedev lost in the first round on his first four appearances at Roland Garros before reaching the quarter-finals in 2021 and the fourth round last year.
Asked if he now believes he can win the French Open, the Russian said: “I do not know. Because I additionally do not need to put an excessive amount of stress on myself. But what occurred in Rome was wonderful, particularly beating quite a lot of good gamers.
“That’s an amazing feeling, and I’m for sure maybe having more expectation than I usually had in Roland Garros.
“But I do know that it is also difficult and it’s important to use this confidence, however not get cocky, as a result of that is the place the hazard is.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
