Carlos Alcaraz: “No more pressure” before starting Roland-Garros

How does it feel to play Roland-Garros in the skin of the world number 1 ?
It’s obviously a little crazy to see my name as world No. 1 on a Grand Slam. At the same time, it’s fantastic. This is something for which I have worked a lot. But I don’t feel any more pressure before playing this tournament under this status.

Where is your game this year compared to last year, how do you feel a better player?
In terms of tennis, I’m the same player as last year. But I would say that I am more mature. Mentally, I’m stronger. I read the game better than before. This is very important to me and probably the most noticeable difference compared to last year.

How did you manage your preparation after your premature defeat at Rome? The fact of having had a few extra days to prepare for Roland-Garros is perhaps a good thing in the end?
I took a few days off, just to relax, with my family, my friends. I needed it. Then I trained for five days at the Academy, at home. It helped me a lot. Being away from tournaments, having more intense, more physical training sessions. By chaining the matches this year, I had not had more than four days to train. For me, this preparation time for Roland-Garros was beneficial.

“For me it would be a dream to play doubles with him (Rafael Nadal) at the Olympics”

The Olympic Games will be held here next year. Does the idea of ​​a double with Rafael Nadal inspire you?
For me it would be a dream to play doubles with him in the Olympics, of course. We will see. We will first see how he feels, how he will get through this year. But to play doubles with him, yes, that would be a dream.

His absence from Roland-Garros inevitably opens up the tournament a little more. Do you consider yourself the number one favourite?
No, I’m not saying I’m the No. 1 favourite, I’m just putting myself on the list of those who can win Roland-Garros, like many others. »