Carlos Alcaraz is embracing being the hunter rather than the hunted as he bids to become the new world number one after the US Open.
The Spaniard enters the US Open in high spirits after winning the Cincinnati title after Jannik Sinner retired due to illness in the final.
It means the world number one is on the line in New York as Alcaraz bids to win his second US Open title and stop Sinner’s hard court dominance.
Reflecting on Sinner’s recent dominance, Alcaraz praised the Italian and jokingly stated that he’s got a target on his back, “[Winning here] would be a great thing to do,” Alcaraz told the ATP website.
“The past three Grand Slams on hard courts, he won. It’s been unbelievable the tennis he’s bringing on hard courts. So I just look up to him in some way just to be ready if I have to face him somewhere. It’s going to be great. I’m just getting ready for the tournament, just to do a good result, hopefully meet him in the final. It would be a great result having a good run here.
“If I beat him, much more… He has a big target, his back!”
One thing is for sure and that Alcaraz will want to do better than last year where he went out in the first week to Botic Van De Zandschulp.
In the build-up to last year’s US Open, Alcaraz spent two weeks at home after winning the silver medal at the Olympics.
This year Alcaraz is match-tight and much prefers his preparation for this year’s event, “As you could see, I was more prepared than last year. Now I’m just feeling much better. So I’m glad that I had those days. Last year everything was tighter,” Alcaraz explained to the ATP website.
“It’s much different. I have more time just to have my days completely off, just to recharge my mind, my batteries. I had two weeks at home practising, but it was at home. So for me, it is an extra that I got those days at home, and then going to Cincinnati with more happiness, let’s say, and really wanting it, hungry to play the tournaments.”
Alcaraz will be aiming to avoid a similar fate in this year’s tournament in New York when he takes on Reilly Opelka on Monday at the US Open.
The Spaniard is well aware of Opelka’s strengths ahead of a first career meeting between the two, “Well, it’s going to be really difficult playing Opelka for the first time,” Alcaraz admitted to the ATP website.
“We all know his game style. So I have to be ready for that, have to be focused on the return, trying to put in as many returns as I can. Trying to get good rhythm in the match, playing good points from the baseline when he lets me do it, and let’s see.
“The confidence is high right now. The court feels good. The balls feel good. I’m just getting ready.”
