Alcaraz embracing lack of pressure to overtake Sinner

Alcaraz has had an indifferent 2025 season. After losing to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, the four-time grand slam champion bounced back with victory at the Rotterdam Open.

Yet he lost to Jiri Lehecka in the last eight of the Qatar Open and then succumbed to Jack Draper in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Open, before going out to David Goffin at the Miami Open.

Alcaraz is now gearing up for the clay-court swing, starting with the Monte-Carlo Masters, but he has been unable to capitalise on Sinner's absence from the ATP Tour, with the Italian serving a three-month suspension following two positive drugs tests. The Italian is set to return to action next month.

Sinner's place at the top of the rankings has not been threatened, though, and world number three Alcaraz is hoping that with the pressure now lifted, he can get back to playing his best tennis.

"A lot of people are asking me, or are telling me, that I have the chance to become number one if Jannik is not playing," Alcaraz told reporters.

"So probably that pressure has killed me in some way.

"I'm not surprised because the people always say that we have to win the tournaments or the top people have to be there all the time playing finals or winning tournaments.

"I'm just thinking that I'm not able to become number one... in the clay season, even if Jannik is not playing, I don't have the chance to do it.

"I think I'm too far from Jannik. So I'm just here and I realise that I don't have to think about it and just go there and play.

"That's my mindset right now."

Nos vemos el año que viene Miami!Getty pic.twitter.com/6IZO6DjhRY

— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) March 22, 2025

Despite having just the one title to his name this season, Alcaraz feels he is playing at a high level.

"I am really happy with the way I am playing," he said.

"Since I started the year I have been playing great tennis. Tennis is not just about hitting the ball. It is about more than that. It is about mentality, [and the] physical side.

“With my game I am really happy about it. If I don't win it doesn’t matter if I play well or not. People are not thinking about the opponent, they are just thinking about me.

"If I lose something is going on people say. I don’t think that is fair. I am just happy and ready to play well on clay."

Alcaraz owns a 78.9% win percentage this season (15-4). Of all players on the ATP Tour to have played at least 10 matches, only Indian Wells champion Draper (81.35%) has a better win ratio.