Carlos Alcaraz has insisted that he is fully fit heading into Wimbledon despite experiencing minor discomfort in his leg.
The world No.1 is currently on a five-match winning streak after claiming his first grasscourt title at the Cinch Championships, defeating Alex de Minaur to capture the trophy. Midway through the final, he took a medical time out for treatment on the upper part of his right leg. Afterward, the Spaniard said the pain was something he didn’t experience earlier in the tournament.
A week on from his triumph at Queen’s, the 20-year-old has shot down any suggestion that he could be suffering from an injury.
“I’m feeling great. I work this week to try not to feel the pain that I felt in the final of Queen’s,” he said.
“Right now physically I am feeling great. I am feeling ready to start Wimbledon.”
Alcaraz is only the second Spanish man in the Open Era to be the top seed at Wimbledon after his idol Rafael Nadal. This year will be his third main draw appearance in the tournament with his best result being a run to the fourth round in 2022.
One of those challenging Alcaraz for the title will be Novak Djokovic who is seeking a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon trophy and hasn’t lost a match at the tournament since 2017, which was due to retirement. The two will only play against each other if they both reach the final. In their latest meeting at this year’s French Open, Djokovic breezed past his opponent who was suffering from cramping.
“I’m coming here to Wimbledon with a lot of confidence, thinking that I’m able to have a good result here,” Alcaraz commented before adding, “But for me the main favorite is Djokovic.”
“My expectations are high. I think I will be able to put the pressure on the other players, even Djokovic as well. But all I can say is I feel with a lot of confidence and I feel ready to do good things here.”
Alcaraz has spent more than 25 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings which is longer than Mats Wilander (20 weeks), Daniil Medvedev (16 weeks), and Andy Roddick (13 weeks). His rapid rise in the sport has elevated him to the limelight with a surge of endorsements.
“I don’t feel too much pressure about being No. 1. I know what I have to do,” he said. “For me, it’s to play my best and try to win tournaments.’
“I don’t think about being No. 1 too much. I’m trying to put out all that pressure.”
Alcaraz will play French veteran Jeremy Chardy in his opening match on Tuesday.
