Carlos Alcaraz has said that he is 'a better player' than last year as he prepares to defend his US Open title.

The 2022 US Open was huge for Alcaraz. Seeded third at the major, the Spaniard defeated the likes of Marin Cilic, Jannik Sinner, and Frances Tiafoe to reach the final, where he defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3.

This victory meant that Alcaraz claimed his first Grand Slam title and rose to world No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time in his career. Now the No. 1 again, the 20-year-old is preparing to defend his title and appears to be confident in his chances.

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Alcaraz feels more 'mature' this year

Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference for the 2023 Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz said he feels as though he has improved over the last year.

"I feel that I'm more mature on court. I feel that I'm a better player than I was a year ago. I got my first Grand Slam last year, but I feel like I'm more mature and I'm better," he said. 

He also spoke of how he plans to deal with the pressure and expectations of being the defending champion at a major for the first time.

"I try to do exactly the same thing that I did last year, trying to practise the same way that I'm going to play, and focus on that. I'm not focus on the defending champion, the points, whatever.

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"I'm just focused on showing my best level, trying to improve in every practice, and let's see how it is going to be in the tournament," he added.

New challenge for Alcaraz with Djokovic back

However, the two-time Grand Slam champion will have a new challenge in the fact that Novak Djokovic is back at this year's New York major. The Big Three member was barred from entering the US for last year's tournament due to his unvaccinated status.

The two players have already had some epic battles, such as at the Wimbledon final where Alcaraz defeated Djokovic, a seven-time SW19 champion, in a five-set thriller.

Djokovic then got his own back at the Cincinnati Open last week, where he ousted Alcaraz in the longest Best of Three Masters 1000 final in history, lasting three hours and 49 minutes.

Nevertheless, Alcaraz will have the support of NBA star and friend Jimmy Butler, who is attending the tournament.

"He's a really huge fan of tennis. He trying to play. I think it's great for tennis to have Jimmy coming to tournaments and supporting us. It's great. Talking about me having him supporting me, a great athlete, NBA star, so it's for me almost crazy to have a good relationship with someone like Jimmy," he said.

Carlos Alcaraz

@carlosalcaraz

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👋🏻 NY! 🗽Muy feliz de estar de vuelta en un lugar tan especial para mí como el @usopen! ❤️ @SebastianYatra @FTiafoe @JimmyButler

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