Spain’s younger tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has stated he’s not planning to take over from Rafael Nadal and intends to construct his “own history”.
Alcaraz capped an ideal week on the Barcelona Open on Sunday by outplaying Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 with a high-quality championship match show on the ATP 500 and claimed his ninth tour-level crown and third of the season.
The Spaniard’s outstanding achievements at a younger age have led to comparisons with Nadal, who like Alcaraz, clinched his maiden Grand Slam title on the age of 19.
“As I`ve always said on more than one occasion, I don’t want to take over from anyone. I feel lucky to have so many people supporting me behind me, transmitting that positive energy from the first game,” Alcaraz was quoted by Eurosport. (World No 1 Novak Djokovic Loses To Serb Countryman For First Time In 11 Years)
“Speaking of this week, it`s been two years that Rafa hasn`t been there, I`ve been lucky, or let`s say I won`t win the title. But as I`ve always said, I`ve always wanted to play against the best. It is a pity that we have not been able to enjoy Rafa these last two years. Let`s hope he continues playing for a long time and we can enjoy his tennis, but obviously, we`re not here to take over from anyone, but to build our own history,” he added.
Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Mats Wilander, Boris Becker, and Andre Agassi are the one 5 gamers in ATP historical past who’ve gained extra titles as a young person than Alcaraz.
The Spaniard may have the possibility so as to add a tenth title to his profession on the Madrid Open, the place he’s a defending champion and can be a powerful favorite within the absence of Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
“We always go to each tournament thinking that we can win, trying to do our best. Not winning Madrid (Open) would not be a failure for me, it depends on the level I have shown and the matches. All the players are very good, they can all win the title and they can beat me. For me, failure would depend on the level I show and the way I play,” he stated.
Alcaraz is the highest seed in Madrid and has obtained a bye within the first spherical. He will open towards both Ugo Humbert or Emil Ruusuvuori.
