Carlos Alcaraz conquered the Masters 1,000 in Madrid in 2022. (AFP)
The young Spanish Carlos Alcaraz stands as the great favorite in the Masters 1,000 in Madrid, in which the number 1 in the world, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, both injured, will not be present.
alcarazcurrent champion, appears at the Caja Mágica in search of the double after successfully starting his tour on clay, winning the ATP 500 in Barcelona for the second consecutive year last Sunday.
The young man from Murcia, number 2 in the world and first favorite on Madrid clay, will begin his journey against the winner of the duel between the Finn Emil Ruusuvuori and the French Ugo Humbert.
“With the level that I have shown in Barcelona winning the title, I come here with a lot of confidence,” Alcaraz, 19, said on Tuesday in the capital of his country.
“Physically I am 100% eager to start here,” he added.
The Murcian, who in the last edition of the event consecutively knocked out Nadal and Djokovicwill not be able to measure himself this time with either of them, while he continues to hunt for the top of the ranking.
Also read: Nadal and Djokovic, the great absentees in Madrid
Nadal, who has already missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona, announced on April 20 that I wouldn’t be in Madrid either for his hip muscle injury.
Five times winner of the Madrid trophy, the man from Manacor has yet to start his season on clay, while keeping the Roland Garros tournament as his goal, for which there is a month to go.
“Rafa is recovering, I think there is little left for him to compete again,” his uncle and former coach expressed hope in the Spanish capital Tony Nadal.
Nor will Djokovic, a three-time winner of the tournament, be in Madrid due to an elbow injury.
“When the best aren’t there, let’s say it’s a little easier,” ‘Carlitos’ admitted on Tuesday, although “we don’t trust ourselves because of the huge casualties there have been, it’s a shame not to be able to enjoy them live.”
Without the king of clay or the world number 1, Alcaraz could measure in the round of 16 against Alexander Zverevfinalist in 2022.
Also read: Jabeur, due to injury, drops out of the title defense in Madrid
The German continues to gain sensations after returning to competition at the Australian Open after recovering from his serious ankle injury suffered at Roland Garros.
If he continued further, Alcaraz might have to face again in the final Stefanos Tsitsipaswhom he defeated in the definition of the Barcelona Open.
“In recent weeks I have played some matches that have allowed me to have a perspective of what my strengths are and how I can win points on clay,” Tsitsipas said Tuesday.
“Now I have already played some matches on clay. I consider myself as a good candidate for this tournament because I have had good results lately”, he added.
The Greek goes on the other side of the box, just like the Russian Daniel Medvedevnumber 3 in the world.
In the Caja Mágica we will also have to follow two fit men: the Danish Holger Runerecent finalist in Monte Carlo and winner in Munich, and the Russian Andrei Rublevwinner in the Principality and finalist in Banja Luka.
