Alcaraz aims to take pressure off on Madrid return: "I want to enjoy it and make other people happy"

Carlos Alcaraz isn't concerned with a deep run at the Madrid Open wanting to enjoy the whole experience and make many Spanish people in the city happy.

Alcaraz won the Madrid Open last year in a superb run that included wins over Nadal and Djokovic which were actually back-to-back matches.

He bested Alexander Zverev in the final easily to complete the superb run and announce himself as one of the best players in the world. He's certainly the top favourite this time around with no Nadal and Djokovic present but he's not really thinking about it much.

He'll simply try to do his best and enjoy it:

“I will try to enjoy it and give enjoyment to others, which is the important thing. I’m going to try to take the pressure off and not think about all the people who are watching. I want to enjoy it and make other people happy.”

Playing in front of family and friends is something he always enjoys and he looks forward to that:

“It always motivates me that my family and friends are watching and supporting me. I look at that as the opposite of pressure. It is a pleasure to be able to play in front of my people and to do it here in Spain. For me it is wonderful to be able to enjoy having all these people here.”

He also added:

“I think the experience I’ve gained this year has helped me grow as a player and as a person. But my personal or professional life hasn’t changed much. I’m still the same, but I’ve matured a lot in the last year.”