By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz can do it all on court, but how will he cope with the pressure of his first Masters title defense in Miami? Here's what the world No. 1 told the media today.
Photo credit: Getty
MIAMI—Squealing sneakers echoed throughout Hard Rock Stadium signaling the depth of Carlos Alcaraz’s desire.
During his inspired run to the 2022 Miami Open title, Alcaraz rarely uttered a word on court, but his feet wouldn't stop screaming.
Blake: Djokovic Won't Play Miami Open
The 19-year-old Spanish sensation electrified Hard Rock—and emerged as a fan favorite in Miami collecting his first Masters 1000 title last April. Reflecting on his run, Alcaraz said feeling the love from fans in Miami again is energizing.
"I have great support here—a lot of people supporting me. I remember last year was unbelievable feeling with the crowd here," Alcaraz told the media in Miami today. "A lot of people here speak Spanish as well so I feel like home, you know? For me, playing here, great matches against great players it was an amazing run last year so I am really excited to come here in front of all the fans here and I can't wait to play here.
"I would say the culture here in Miami a lot of people speak Spanish a lot of people as well and of course I always enjoy playing here in America so I feel like home. I lot of people supporting me I feel the love in every practice, in every match in every single second here. so for me, its special to come back here and feel the same energy that I felt for example last year."
The world No. 1 launches defense of his Miami Open this week with armed with a 14-1 record, three finals in three tournaments played this year and one piece of major Masters history.
When Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's Indian Wells final, he became the youngest man in history to complete the career Sunshine Double. Now, he's playing to become the youngest ATP champion capture the Sunshine Doubles in the same season.
"Of course, I hear that a lot of the big players, the top players have won the Sunshine double," Alcaraz said. "For me it was a goal but I didn't know that I thought it was Indian Wells-Miami not Miami-Indian Wells. For me it was a little bit confused, but yeah I'm really happy to get that."
Former world No. 1 Roger Federer was fond of saying "in tennis if you're not getting better, you're getting worse because everyone else is getting better."
Meeting the media in Miami, Alcaraz said his quest for improvement is inspired by seeing the Big 3 rise.
"I always say you can improve everything a little bit more," Alcaraz said. "You can get stuck in your game right now, you have to improve, you have to get better every day.
"That's what the big players like the Big 3 for example did throughout their career: to improve every day a little bit."
Sebastian Korda, who upset Alcaraz in a gripping three-hour Monte-Carlo victory last April, said Alcaraz is a complete player whose greatest strength is a lack of weakness.
"He can do it all," Korda said of Alcaraz. "He's quick, he's got a great serve, great forehand, great backhand, volleys well. There is nothing he can't really do. He's very mentally strong, physical."
The top-seeded Spaniard opens against Facundo Bagnis or a lucky loser in a crammed top quarter of the draw that features two-time Miami champion Andy Murray, 2022 Indian Wells winner Taylor Fritz, Rolex Paris Masters champion Holger Rune, 2018 champion and 2019 finalist John Isner and No. 16-seeded Tommy Paul, who surprised Alcaraz on Canadian hard courts last summer.
Billie Jean King famously said "pressure is a privilege." Alcaraz says finding his comfort level and playing with joy are his top priorities.
"I don't feel the pressure too much. I know the things I have to do: play relaxed, don't mind if I lose or play well or not," Alcaraz said. "My goal is always the same: to feel comfortable on court, to enjoy playing tennis, to try to make great shots in the match.
"That's what I am. That's why I am playing at a great level: I am enjoying every single second. I am playing relaxed and that's what I am thinking about on court."