Spoiler:
World No. 2 also discussed his rivalry with Sinner at the clay major
May 23, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz (right) during his recent title run at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz (right) during his recent title run at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.
By ATPTour.com/es Staff
For the second consecutive day, Carlos Alcaraz practised on the courts of Roland Garros to ready himself for his opener against Giulio Zeppieri on Monday, when he kicks off his title defence at the clay major. The Spaniard, who shared his practice session with Francisco Cerundolo, later gave his first press conference at the tournament to evaluate his game.
“I’m feeling good,” said Alcaraz, the No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “Yesterday I noticed a big difference in terms of conditions, but today I was feeling the ball a bit better. I’m not searching for anything specific, just to feel good and comfortable. I want to try and deploy my game in practice without thinking about how I’m going to start the tournament or what the first match will be like.
“Above all, I want to play with joy. That’s what I always try to do in every match, and in every practice session. Without any fear of anything. Not thinking about trying to be more solid. I want to have a good time and do things that I enjoy. Then I think I’ll be ready to start the tournament.”
It All Adds Up
Alcaraz, who arrives at Roland Garros with the title from Monte-Carlo under one arm and the Rome trophy under the other, was asked about whether he feels superior to the rest of the players on clay, and if he believes it is his racquet that dictates the results.
“Honestly, I don’t think about it like that,” explained the Spaniard, who has also reached an ATP 500 final in Barcelona this European clay season. “Obviously Jannik [Sinner] had an incredible week in Rome, but he had had three months off, and that lack of competition makes a difference, especially as you progress in the big tournaments.
“I’ve also been through some difficult moments and really tough matches that I could easily have lost, but I am feeling really comfortable. I’m feeling good. I’m happy about the level I’m producing, but I do feel that most tournaments and matches are in my hands, that if I’m on the right path, if I can orientate myself, in terms of the way I feel, whether or not I’m enjoying myself… Things like that really influence the way I play.”
You May Also Like: Sinner, Alcaraz to make major history not seen since Federer, Nadal
This year in Paris, Alcaraz cannot cross paths with Sinner until the final. Having defeated his rival in the Rome final to extend his Lexus ATP Head2Head lead over the Italian to 7-4, fans could be forgiven for thinking that the 22-year-old has his rival’s number. However, according to Alcaraz himself, this could not be further from the truth.
“I’ve said it many times; our rivalry is great because our matches are very tactical,” said the Spaniard, who leads Sinner by 1,090 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin as the two players each pursue ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours for the second time. “I’m sure the next time we play he’ll change things. He’ll try to improve. I’ll also try to improve to try and beat him again.
“That’s what the Big Three did for so many years. Rafa [Nadal] also had a number of streaks beating Djokovic, then vice versa, and the same with Federer. There will be streaks and I have to be ready because I’m not going to beat him in every match. That’s the way it is, we can’t always beat him. Every time I play him it’s a mental, tactical and physical battle of the highest order. So you have to be ready for whatever may come.”
May 23, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz (right) during his recent title run at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz (right) during his recent title run at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.
By ATPTour.com/es Staff
For the second consecutive day, Carlos Alcaraz practised on the courts of Roland Garros to ready himself for his opener against Giulio Zeppieri on Monday, when he kicks off his title defence at the clay major. The Spaniard, who shared his practice session with Francisco Cerundolo, later gave his first press conference at the tournament to evaluate his game.
“I’m feeling good,” said Alcaraz, the No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “Yesterday I noticed a big difference in terms of conditions, but today I was feeling the ball a bit better. I’m not searching for anything specific, just to feel good and comfortable. I want to try and deploy my game in practice without thinking about how I’m going to start the tournament or what the first match will be like.
“Above all, I want to play with joy. That’s what I always try to do in every match, and in every practice session. Without any fear of anything. Not thinking about trying to be more solid. I want to have a good time and do things that I enjoy. Then I think I’ll be ready to start the tournament.”
It All Adds Up
Alcaraz, who arrives at Roland Garros with the title from Monte-Carlo under one arm and the Rome trophy under the other, was asked about whether he feels superior to the rest of the players on clay, and if he believes it is his racquet that dictates the results.
“Honestly, I don’t think about it like that,” explained the Spaniard, who has also reached an ATP 500 final in Barcelona this European clay season. “Obviously Jannik [Sinner] had an incredible week in Rome, but he had had three months off, and that lack of competition makes a difference, especially as you progress in the big tournaments.
“I’ve also been through some difficult moments and really tough matches that I could easily have lost, but I am feeling really comfortable. I’m feeling good. I’m happy about the level I’m producing, but I do feel that most tournaments and matches are in my hands, that if I’m on the right path, if I can orientate myself, in terms of the way I feel, whether or not I’m enjoying myself… Things like that really influence the way I play.”
You May Also Like: Sinner, Alcaraz to make major history not seen since Federer, Nadal
This year in Paris, Alcaraz cannot cross paths with Sinner until the final. Having defeated his rival in the Rome final to extend his Lexus ATP Head2Head lead over the Italian to 7-4, fans could be forgiven for thinking that the 22-year-old has his rival’s number. However, according to Alcaraz himself, this could not be further from the truth.
“I’ve said it many times; our rivalry is great because our matches are very tactical,” said the Spaniard, who leads Sinner by 1,090 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin as the two players each pursue ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours for the second time. “I’m sure the next time we play he’ll change things. He’ll try to improve. I’ll also try to improve to try and beat him again.
“That’s what the Big Three did for so many years. Rafa [Nadal] also had a number of streaks beating Djokovic, then vice versa, and the same with Federer. There will be streaks and I have to be ready because I’m not going to beat him in every match. That’s the way it is, we can’t always beat him. Every time I play him it’s a mental, tactical and physical battle of the highest order. So you have to be ready for whatever may come.”
