After a short rest, Carlos Alcaraz is entering the decisive phase of the season with Roland Garros on the horizon. He will begin his Paris campaign on Sunday, the 22nd of the month, and will resume training in the days leading up to departure. Fresh off lifting the Mutua Madrid Open, he plans to head to Paris next Thursday, stepping into what will be his 19th Grand Slam and his first as a top favorite. Juan Carlos Ferrero, his longtime coach, is overseeing every detail. No one doubts the weight of the moment for a player who reached number one and understands the pressure that comes with being at the peak of the sport. For the Murcia native, at just 19 years old, this represents a new kind of challenge and opportunity.
What kind of work plan do you have for Carlos Alcaraz before Roland Garros in the next few days?
We will use the downtime to recover fully, rebuilding strength and sharpened focus for both body and mind. The preparation will center on fine-tuning the small edges that were missing in recent clay events. As the competition season rolls on, emphasis will be placed on realistic match scenarios and strategic patterns that translate to the big stages.
Worried that you might lose some of your focus because of all the fun you’re getting?
Obviously, a large portion of the coming weeks is about staying grounded. Rest becomes part of the routine, paired with the usual high-intensity work and daily discipline. The challenges ahead demand even more consistency, so the plan may lean toward increased focus rather than simply maintaining it.
Will come after Roland Garros Wimbledon. Will he play a tournament on turf before and will the training change to adapt to a surface he has little experience with?
The aim is to compete at Queen’s Club (June 13–19). Grass is a very different proposition from clay, but the team believes Alcaraz can adapt quickly. He is, after all, drawn to the surface. Training will shift in tempo and style; matches on grass require a distinct approach and different movement patterns, and there will be a period of adjustment to the speed and bounce of turf.
Carlos Alcaraz has stated that his desire this year is to win a Grand Slam. Do you think Roland Garros is still a little early for you or do you think you’re ready?
The prevailing mindset is victory, tempered by realism. While there are several favorites this year, Alcaraz’s youth means less experience in Grand Slams than some contenders. Nadal remains the clear favorite for many observers, but the aim is clear, and confidence is steadily building as the season progresses.
Having defended so few points, do you find the world number one attainable this year?
Defending a handful of points does not guarantee the top ranking. The landscape is quite balanced, rewarding strong performances across tournaments and maintaining momentum for a full year. Fewer options exist this season because some players accumulate points at events that Alcaraz cannot enter as part of the current format. While it remains possible to climb to number one, it is early to declare it assured.
After resting for a few days, Carlos Alcaraz is entering the decisive phase of the season with Roland Garros on the horizon. He will begin his Paris campaign on Sunday, the 22nd of the month, and will resume training in the days leading up to departure. Fresh off lifting the Mutua Madrid Open, he plans to head to Paris next Thursday, stepping into what will be his 19th Grand Slam and his first as a top favorite. Juan Carlos Ferrero, his longtime coach, is overseeing every detail. No one doubts the weight of the moment for a player who reached number one and understands the pressure that comes with being at the peak of the sport. For the Murcia native, at just 19 years old, this represents a new kind of challenge and opportunity.
What kind of work plan do you have for Carlos Alcaraz before Roland Garros in the next few days?
We will use the downtime to recover fully, rebuilding strength and sharpened focus for both body and mind. The preparation will center on fine-tuning the small edges that were missing in recent clay events. As the competition season rolls on, emphasis will be placed on realistic match scenarios and strategic patterns that translate to the big stages.
Worried that you might lose some of your focus because of all the fun you’re getting?
Obviously, a large portion of the coming weeks is about staying grounded. Rest becomes part of the routine, paired with the usual high-intensity work and daily discipline. The challenges ahead demand even more consistency, so the plan may lean toward increased focus rather than simply maintaining it.
Will come after Roland Garros Wimbledon. Will he play a tournament on turf before and will the training change to adapt to a surface he has little experience with?
The aim is to compete at Queen’s Club (June 13–19). Grass is a very different proposition from clay, but the team believes Alcaraz can adapt quickly. He is, after all, drawn to the surface. Training will shift in tempo and style; matches on grass require a distinct approach and different movement patterns, and there will be a period of adjustment to the speed and bounce of turf.
Carlos Alcaraz has stated that his desire this year is to win a Grand Slam. Do you think Roland Garros is still a little early for you or do you think you’re ready?
The prevailing mindset is victory, tempered by realism. While there are several favorites this year, Alcaraz’s youth means less experience in Grand Slams than some contenders. Nadal remains the clear favorite for many observers, but the aim is clear, and confidence is steadily building as the season progresses.
Having defended so few points, do you find the world number one attainable this year?
Defending a handful of points does not guarantee the top ranking. The landscape is quite balanced, rewarding strong performances across tournaments and maintaining momentum for a full year. Fewer options exist this season because some players accumulate points at events that Alcaraz cannot enter as part of the current format. While it remains possible to climb to number one, it is early to declare it assured.