Carlos Alcaraz is looking for improvement as he now looks to finish the season on a high note at the Nitto ATP Finals.
The Spaniard had a disappointing return to the tour in Paris-Bercy as he lost comfortably in a 6-3 6-4 defeat to Roman Safiullin.
It was a result that saw Alcaraz lost his maiden first round match of 2023 and ensured that he will need to have a perfect tournament in Turin if he want to end the year as the world number one.
Speaking after the defeat Alcaraz admitted a lot of improvement is needed and praised his opponent, “I just didn’t feel well on the court,” the Spaniard told the ATP website.
“A lot of things to improve, a lot of things to practise. I didn’t move well. In the shots, I think I had a good quality of shots. But physically in the part of movement, I have to improve a lot.
“He didn’t surprise me at all, because I knew that he has been playing a great level these last few months, beating big guys, reaching finals. I knew that he was going to play a high level.”
It has been a wonderful season for Alcaraz who won a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, winning 63 matches and losing ten.
However the Spaniard will now look to capture a big title in Turin after missing last year’s ATP Finals due to injury.
Speaking after his defeat Alcaraz said that he has time to think about his next steps, “I have time before the ATP Finals, a lot of days of practice to be able to reach that level, the level that I want to play,” Alcaraz explained.
“Honestly after the loss, I have to take some time before thinking about the next days… But obviously before the ATP Finals begin, we have time.”
