Carlos Alcaraz is raring to get to Italy subsequent week to compete within the Rome Masters for the primary time in his profession and reclaim the world number-one spot from Novak Djokovic.
After retaining his title in Madrid on Sunday by beating fortunate loser Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 3-6 6-3, Alcaraz solely has to point out up and play in Rome to leapfrog Djokovic.
Rankings are based mostly on factors claimed at every match, which expire yearly. To keep the factors received at an occasion a participant should at the least match the tally from the earlier 12 months.
Alcaraz skipped the Rome Masters final 12 months attributable to an ankle harm so has no factors to defend whereas Djokovic received in Rome final 12 months and thus can not enhance his total factors whole.
With solely 5 factors set to divide the 2 gamers within the subsequent set of rankings Alcaraz will transfer above the Serbian into prime spot even when he loses on the first hurdle in Rome.
After an injury-plagued begin to the season, Alcaraz stated he’s 100% and pondering large, motivated to maintain bettering his sport as he builds up for the French Open, which begins on May 28.
“I am an ambitious guy and I’m going full for the win in Rome,” Alcaraz informed a news convention on Sunday.
“What I am achieving is something big. I just have won my 10th title, my fourth Masters 1000, back-to-back titles here in Madrid and very close to reclaiming the number one world spot.
“It’s a special moment and I’m very proud of what I am accomplishing. The work I’m putting in.”
The Spaniard, who turned 20 on Friday, has loved a spectacular begin to his profession by successful the U.S. Open final September to develop into the youngest man to prime the rankings.
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On Sunday, he needed to play his finest to beat a relentless Struff and clinch his fourth title of the season, including to triumphs in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells and Barcelona.
“I know I have an ability to play good in the important moments,” Alcaraz stated. “I am a player who grows under pressure, in the big stage, and I like to do different things in those moments. To adapt to what my opponents bring to me.
“I am a finals’ player: I played 13 finals and won 10.”
He has joined Rafael Nadal as the one back-to-back Madrid champion and is the youngest to retain an ATP Masters 1000 title since his fellow Spaniard at Monte-Carlo and Rome in 2005-06.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com