New Delhi: World No. 1 Carlos Alcarz is gearing up for the rigours of a clay court season in Monaco’s Monte Carlo Masters to build up momentun towards his French Open title defence.
The Spaniard beat No. 2 Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros to win his fifth French Open title in June last year after triumphing in Monte Carlo and Rome and getting beaten in the final in Barcelona.
“I’m just really, really happy to be back here in Monte-Carlo, the first tournament of the clay season, at least for me, which is great,” Alcaraz told ATP Media.
“I just missed it so much to be honest. I’m going to try to enjoy as much as I can this beautiful surface, this beautiful tournament. It’s great.
“To be here as the defending champion, it’s something that I’m just not thinking about to be honest. I’m just trying to be in a good [mindset] and trying to get better after every practice, and let’s see how it goes,” he added.
“This is probably one of the best times of the season for me. I miss clay every time the clay season is over. It’s been a long time since Roland Garros that I haven’t touched clay. In my first practices, I said to my team that it’s time to get the socks dirty again. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”
Alcaraz had to skip the Madrid Open with injury last year and hopes to go through the entire clay court season without any concern before the French Open whose main draw would begin on May 24.
“Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome … that’s the plan. It’s very demanding physically and mentally. The week in Barcelona is perhaps when I should rest, but Barcelona is a very important tournament for me,” the 22-year-old said.
“My plan is to take care of my body as much as possible during matches and tournaments.”
Winning the title at Monte Carlo proved to be a turning point for him last season, Carlos said.
“After the feeling that I got here, I just got better and better. I understood and I realised how I should play after this week. That’s why I did an exceptional year,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion said.