By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday, October 31, 2022
Even teenagers are susceptible to the grind of the ATP Tour, and World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz is no exception.
The 19-year-old, who has played 67 matches on tour this season, winning 55, disclosed that he had a knee issue during his loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime in Basel, and underwent tests on Monday before making his decision to take part in this week’s Paris Masters draw in Bercy.
“Just some little problems,” Alcaraz said on Monday in Paris. “I'm going to say as every player at the end of the year have problems in their bodies, you know, and you have to play with that just a little bit. But not too serious.”
According to AS, the issue persisted when Alcaraz practiced over the weekend in Paris, which is why he decided to undergo the tests.
The Spaniard remains intent on locking up the year-end No.1 ranking, and knows he’ll need a few victories to do it.
He says he feels no pressure, just the desire to achieve a lifelong goal.
“I don't feel the pressure. I just put that goal myself, you know, to end as the No. 1,” he said. “But of course is really tough one. There is great players behind me, and, yeah, they have the chances, as well.”
Alcaraz currently leads Rafael Nadal by 830 points in the race. Both players have taken their spot in the draw at Paris.
Top-seeded Alcaraz is slated to face Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round on Wednesday in Bercy.
Nadal, the second seed, will face either Tommy Paul or Roberto Bautista Agut.