Google News 'It seems logical that Carlos Alcaraz will have to face...', says former ace
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 2583
One of the great and pleasant surprises of the year has been the confirmation of Carlos Alcaraz as one of the great faces of the generational change. "Carlitos" not only won ATP 500 trophies, he also won his first Masters 1000, defeated Nadal and Djokovic, lifted his first Grand Slam in New York and closes 2022 as the owner of the top of the world ranking of men.
He earned almost 7,000 points throughout the 2022 season, which earned him a well-deserved first place in the ATP world rankings. Carlos Alcaraz put the finishing touch to a truly remarkable year, in which he was the absolute star of the circuit.
The Spaniard managed to make his dream of winning a Grand Slam title (at the US Open) come true at just 19 years old. The only negative notes came at the end of the year, with a bad injury that forced him to withdraw from the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 and not participate in the Nitto Atp Finals.
The Iberian recently spoke in an interview with Arab News about the top of the ranking that he has conquered in recent weeks: "It seems like a dream. Honestly, I have thought about my ranking at this point several times throughout the year and I still can't believe it.
I wonder: 'But is it true? Am I number one in the world? I'm dreaming?' This is something I have to be aware of one day," he said. The Spanish tennis player continued to underline: "I have played so many tournaments that I have not had time to fully assimilate the Us Open.
Of course, it was a good feeling for me. All I can say is that nothing has changed me. Everybody wants to beat number one. I felt like after the US Open everyone was targeting me and wanted to take me on the court."
Alcaraz is a true star
Patrick Kuhnen, former 43rd in the world, consultant for Sky Sport in Germany but also director of the Munich tournament, kindly made predictions for 2023.
According to him, if Nadal, Djokovic will be there, he has a real fear about the current world number 1, Carlos Alcaraz. “The Spaniard starts the new season as world number one, and he will have to defend this status.
We can therefore think that there is a risk that this position could turn into a burden, especially at the mental level. Afterwards, he is well surrounded so this should allow him to take on this challenge with more confidence. Despite everything, it seems logical that he will have to face difficult passages in 2023."