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(Reuters) – Attaining his dream of changing into the world no. 1 final yr took Carlos Alcaraz abruptly however the Spaniard mentioned he nonetheless has room for enchancment in his sport and different facets as he gears as much as start his 2023 season at subsequent week’s Argentina Open.
Alcaraz climbed to the highest of the ATP rankings in September 2022 after successful his first main title on the U.S. Open and stayed there for 20 weeks earlier than Novak Djokovic took over after successful the Australian Open, which Alcaraz missed with harm.
“I achieved my dream, my purpose, in a short time. Virtually in only a yr. I handled it as naturally as attainable,” 19-year-old Alcaraz, who’s now world No. 2, instructed reporters on Saturday.
“After changing into No. 1 I needed to set new targets, new issues for the long run, to proceed to get pleasure from myself, proceed to enhance as a result of I am very younger and I’ve a variety of issues to enhance.
“I feel I can enhance all the things by way of my sport, health and mentality. Little by little, my crew will take these small steps to get even higher.”
Alcaraz mentioned he’s motivated by Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic, who made large enhancements over time after an excellent begin of their early years.
“Attaining my dream in a short time caught me abruptly, so to talk. Now I am used to it, I’ve a purpose, I do know the place I wish to get to, what I wish to be, and that’s the most essential factor,” he mentioned.
Having missed the season-opening main in Melbourne as a consequence of a proper leg muscle harm, Alcaraz will play his first match of 2023 subsequent week in Buenos Aires, going through the winner of the first-round match between Fabio Fognini and Laslo Djere.
It’s going to even be his first match since he suffered an indirect tear final November on the Paris Masters.
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Enhancing by Christian Schmollinger)