Carlos Alcaraz He was optimistic and willing to undertake the defense of the Mutua Madrid Open title that he won in the last two seasons and, having improved from the pain in his right forearm, he was willing to compete in the Caja Mágica tournament that starts on Tuesday.
The world number three exercised at the Madrid venue’s facilities for the first time. He did it with protection on his arm, with caution but with a little more intensity than in previous days.
The ailment in his forearm took him out of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 and the Conde de Godó tournament last week. He is now in Madrid with the idea of being part of the main draw. In the official presentation of the event that she led together with Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 2023 champion of the women’s team, she was optimistic about her physical condition.
“I’m better. I tried to be in Barcelona but it couldn’t be because my arm hurt. I hope to play in Madrid every year and we do everything possible to be able to be there. I don’t want to take anything for granted but after the last few days, I dare say that if everything continues like this we will be there,” he said at the tournament presentation event in the Plaza Mayor.
Alcaraz He is not considered a favorite. “Every game is a world, you have to play the games and even more so now for me that I come without games or rhythm,” said the Murcian who showed his desire to debut on Saturday to have more days of recovery.
The Murcian will begin his journey through the Madrid Masters 1000 in the second round against the winner of the match between the French Arthur Rinderknech and the Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko.
Feliciano López, Aryna Sabalenka, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Carlos Alcaraz and Ignacio Garralda, at the official presentation of the Mutua Madrid Open, this Monday in the Plaza Mayor of Madrid
Rodrigo Jiménez / EFE
The number three in the ATP ranking, who starts in Madrid as second favorite, faces the Caja Mágica tournament without pressure because he faces it with “positive energy, without pressure. I take it as an extra motivation. It is a tournament that I have been coming to since that was small,” he recalled.
Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal They are on opposite sides of the draw after the draw held this Monday morning. They would only meet in a final. “It is always special to play with Rafa. In Madrid we have played twice and it is a pleasure to share the court with him. Maybe we will see each other in the final. Nothing is impossible.”
Carlos Alaraz, at the Laureus Gala with Juan Carlos Ferrero and his manager, Albert Molina
Borja B. Hojas / Getty
