The 19-year-old, who will compete in his first match in Quebec against either Tommy Paul or Vasek Pospisil, has seen an impressive climb.
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Carlos Alcaraz is prepared for the National Bank Open to set new records as he seeks to build on his eventful year in Montreal. The second-seeded Spaniard, who last August was outside the Top 50 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, will be playing in Canada for the first time and is going for a Tour-leading fifth victory and third ATP Masters 1000 crown. The 19-year-old, who will compete in his first match in Quebec against either Tommy Paul or Vasek Pospisil, has seen an impressive climb. Only his fellow countryman Rafael Nadal reached the Top 5 sooner than him last month, making him the second-youngest player in the twenty-first century to do so.
“I grew up so fast. To be the second seed at a Masters 1000 is amazing and I didn’t expect this at the beginning of the year. Honestly I still can’t believe it right now,” Alcaraz said during a press conference on Sunday. “It is something I wanted at the start of the year, when I was aiming to be at the top and be one of the favourites to win one of the most important tournaments.”
Alcaraz is currently playing in his first hard-court competition since winning in Miami in April, and he will be attempting to adapt to the Montreal conditions as he plays on his third surface since July. The World No. 4 advanced to the fourth round on grass at Wimbledon last month before winning back-to-back clay-court championships in Hamburg and Umag, improving his season record to 42-7.
“It is tough to change surfaces quickly. In two months, I have played on three surfaces and it is tough. But I consider myself a player who adjusts to a new surface very fast,” Alcaraz said. “The transition from clay to hard is tough, but I did specific work to adjust to hard court and I have come here a lot of days before to get used to this court. [I have been] playing points and sets with the best players.”
Alcaraz stated that he has been delighted by the love he has received from supporters and that he has been enjoying his stay in Montreal. “I have felt so much love from the people,” he said. “That is amazing for me. It is my first time and I didn’t expect that. There are lots of people and it is amazing to have the support and the love of the people here.”
