Carlos Alcaraz has high praise for his current rival
Jannik Sinner saying that even on clay which he is not adept on he is still a favourite to win the title. The Spaniard will face Jan-Lennard Struff next up tomorow.
Sinner continues his campaign this evening and will face off against Pavel Kotov in the next round. He has only lost to Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas this season and since last November and even on clay has shown that he has the tools. He could yet become World No.1 next week too in Rome.
“He is not used to playing here in Madrid. He hasn’t participated in this tournament since 2022 and in general he hasn’t played much here,” Alcaraz said. "I don’t know how he will adapt to the altitude but his first shift was impressive. Obviously, in every tournament he plays, he is one of the favourites to win.
“I will try to play my best tennis and not let him win any more titles (smiles), but at the moment things are quite complicated.”
But in terms of Alcaraz' overall feeling, he said that he's feeling good and his forearm isn't bothering him which is a good sign for his fans. "I am feeling very well, I am moving in a very good way, my forearm is not causing problems, we are improving,” he said.
“Those thoughts continue about how it’s going to go, it’s going to take a while for them to go away. It’s what we are focused on and thinking about every day. From the level I am at, I see myself with the possibility of continuing to advance.”
He added: “I’m not going to say that I am playing at a low percentage, but in a different way. We are all used to seeing me hit my forehand at 200%, and many times Juanki [coach Juan Carlos Ferrero] tells me that it is not necessary that much, that we have to relax and move my hand forward. And that’s what I’m doing now.
“It is a forehand that is close to 100%, I am happy with the way I am playing, the ball runs, which is what we have been working on for a long time.”
