Carlos Alcaraz will be making a comeback in Barcelona in hopes of successfully defending the trophy he won last year which would be a first for him.
Alcaraz is the defending champion in Barcelona having won it last year but he's never been able to defend a trophy so far in his career. The chance presented itself two times but he failed both times with this being another one. It comes after he missed some minor time due to injuries but he's feeling good after some days of practice:
“I have trained with (Denis) Shapovalov and (Casper) Ruud and it has gone very well for me. I need the rhythm of the competition, to play points and with these players I can do it.”
Being back in Barcelona is a good thing for he as he's looking forward to make some more great memories in the city:
“We are going to try to avoid the pressure of defending the title and go out on the court and enjoy ourselves. There have been big absences like Rafa and Medvedev, who were candidates to win the tournament, but the lack of them doesn’t make me feel more of a favourite. Every player in the draw can beat me.”
He further said:
“I am more mature than last year, I read things better in case there is something that is going wrong. The leap that I have made is due to maturity and the ability I have to read things on the court. The titles have not changed me as a person. I feel like the same guy as always, with the same group of friends. You have to separate tennis from your personal life.”