‘Both are very difficult’ – Sinner compares winning ‘Sunshine Double’ to Grand Slams<\/p>\n
Video credit: SNTV<\/p>\n
Carlos Alcaraz has revealed the “few things” he is looking to improve on in his battle to retain the world No. 1 spot amid pressure from Jannik Sinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the 22-year-old Spaniard raised a few eyebrows<\/a> when he conceded that Sinner would seize the No. 1 crown<\/a> from him in the coming weeks.Alcaraz has topped the ATP rankings since last October, but his Italian counterpart is hot on his heels – and on course to dethrone him should he win this week\u2019s Monte-Carlo Masters.<\/a><\/p>\n “On Jannik and the world No. 1 ranking, I saw that a lot of people didn’t expect me to say that,\u201d Alcaraz told TNT Sports. “But that\u2019s the truth. Jannik has a few really important tournaments coming up where he can get a lot of points.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I have to defend it all, and it can be really tricky. It’s going to be hard, but that’s also the beauty of our fight as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n “He’s going to become world No. 1 again, and I’m going to then try to push him to the limit to then reclaim No. 1 as soon as possible. This fight for the No. 1 has been really beautiful so far.”<\/p>\n When asked how he could have the edge over his rival, Alcaraz continued: “I have a few things that I really want to be better at. <\/p>\n “Of course, the serve. It\u2019s something I\u2019ve put so many hours in, not just on the court but also off it.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Thinking about how I can improve the movement, the throw of the ball, the technique, the feeling.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I think it\u2019s really important, not only how you do it on the court, but how you think about it off the court. I\u2019m just trying to get better at that.”<\/p>\n Alcaraz reflects on French Open lessons<\/p>\n Alcaraz has already proven he has the fight and mental strength required to, if needed, recapture the world No. 1 spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n Indeed, last year he recovered from two sets down – saving three championship points on the way – to beat Sinner in one of the all-time great French Open finals.<\/p>\n “I have a lot of things to keep from that match,\u201d Alcaraz reflected. “But [what sticks with me most] is the fight. The fact that I never gave up.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Even when I was down a break in the fourth set at 0-40, I was still fighting, still believing that I could come back.\u00a0<\/p>\n “That\u2019s the thing I still keep from that match. I\u2019ve tried to do it in every match.\u00a0<\/p>\n “When things aren’t necessarily going well, I think I can come back, I can do better and still find a way to escape from bad situations. I think I learned a lesson from that moment.”<\/p>\n