Teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz has played down the significance of his medical test on Monday by saying it is ‘normal’ for players to experience pain.
Earlier this week, Spanish media sources reported that the world No.1 had undergone a test on his knee after experiencing pain in the area since his semi-final loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Basel Open on Saturday. It is unclear as to which knee has been causing the discomfort or how severe the pain has been. However, he has since confirmed that he has been given the all-clear to play at this week’s Paris Masters where he is bidding to win his third Masters 1000 title of the season.
“It’s a little pain, but the calendar is very demanding. We are playing and travelling with barely any breaks and it’s normal that we have a few pains,” Alcaraz told Eurosport.
“All players have them and we learn how to deal with them. I am feeling good physically and I am ready to play here in Paris and in Turin in the finals.”
Alcaraz, who has won 55 out of 67 matches so far this year, started 2022 outside of the top 30 but has shot up the standings following a series of milestone victories. Within the first six months of the season, he won two ATP 500 events and two Masters 1000 titles. At the Madrid Open, he became the youngest player to score back-to-back wins over Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same tournament. After reaching the final of a couple of European clay events in July, he then claimed the biggest title of his career by winning the US Open. It was that triumph in New York that elevated him to become the youngest world No.1 in ATP history.
The Spaniard was presented with the No.1 trophy at a special ceremony at the French capital on Monday evening. He is seeking to end the season at the top of the standings but faces stern challenges from Nadal, as well as a couple of other players.
Despite his rivalry with Nadal, Alcaraz has insisted that there is no hostility between them. He currently trails their head-to-head 1-2.
“It’s true, Rafa is fighting for the No. 1. Some players have the same goal – to be No. 1, so I need to do my best…outside the court we [Rafa and I] are colleagues, at least it’s the way I see it,” he commented on the No.1 race.
“Rafa is not my enemy. I say hello, I don’t see that competition. With the rest of the players, it’s the same. Beyond that relationship I’ll try to keep being No. 1.”
Granted a bye in the first round, Alcaraz will begin his campaign in Paris on Wednesday against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka. It will only be his second appearance at the tournament after last year when he was knocked out in the third round by Hugo Gaston.
