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“It’s fantastic to be back. I’m very happy to be able to play here again. I like these places, I feel a lot of peace and it’s fantastic,” explained Carlos Alcaraz during the Indian Wells media day.
The Spaniard revealed his ambitions in the Californian ATP Masters 1000 tournament, of which he is defending champion.
“I came here to defend the trophy. It’s difficult, there are the best tennis players in the world and some of them are playing excellent tennis this season. I know it will be very complicated but I’m here to do it. I felt good in training,” he told.
Carlitos also gave updates on the current condition of the ankle.
“Many are probably thinking about my ankle, to see if I’ll be 100% or not, but I feel better. We’ll see how the tournament goes, I’m here to defend the title and I don’t think about anything other than this,” said Alcaraz, underlining how he already had positive feelings during the exhibition match in Las Vegas against his compatriot friend Rafael Nadal.
The press focused on the player’s particular characteristic of smiling a lot on the pitch, even in the most difficult moments.
“Most of the time I’m focused on myself with my team. I try to smile all the time, crack jokes. This allows me to continue to be myself.”
Alcaraz will meet Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Rick Macci praises Carlos Alcaraz
Rick MacciSerena Williams’ former coach, shared a post in which he praised the young Spaniard, highlighting what will happen when Alcaraz wins a Slam again.
“When he wins his next Major and Slams the Outside Noise, everyone will be thrilled with his shot making and his poise. @carlosalcaraz,” Macci wrote.
When he wins his next Major and Slams the outside Noise everybody will be Glowing about his Shot making and Poise. @carlosalcaraz
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) March 6, 2024
Previously, in an interview, Macci had already expressed praise for Carlitos: “He is a combination of, I tell everyone, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Agassi, all rolled into one. I think he will get a lot of Grand Slam tournaments , it’s unreal. I feel like, in my opinion, he’s by far the leader in the clubhouse.”