World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz mentioned the strain to reclaim the highest rating throughout the absence of the banned Jannik Sinner had “killed” him and that he would method the clay season with none expectations.
The highest-ranked Sinner is serving a three-month doping ban that ends on Could 4, and Alcaraz was seen as one of many contenders to exchange the Italian within the rankings within the build-up to the French Open subsequent month however he has not made probably the most of his alternatives.
“Lots of people are asking me, or are telling me, that I’ve the prospect to grow to be No. 1 if Jannik is not taking part in,” Alcaraz, 21, mentioned in Monte Carlo, the place he begins preparations for his Roland Garros title defence.
“So in all probability that strain has killed me indirectly.”
The Spaniard received his first title of the season in Rotterdam two months in the past, earlier than shedding within the quarterfinals of Doha, the semifinals of Indian Wells and the opening spherical of Miami final week to sit down greater than 3,500 factors behind Sinner.
Alexander Zverev is sort of 1,000 factors above Alcaraz within the standings in second place.
Alcaraz informed reporters on Sunday that he won’t deal with the highest rating heading into Monte Carlo, the place he’ll tackle Italian wild card Fabio Fognini or Francisco Cerundolo first.
“I am simply pondering that I am not in a position to grow to be No. 1 within the clay season, even when Jannik will not be taking part in, I haven’t got the prospect to do it,” Alcaraz mentioned.
“I feel I am too removed from Jannik. So I am simply right here and I realise that I haven’t got to consider it and simply go there and play. That is my mindset proper now.”