Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz has been in the headlines about how eager he is to play at the Italian Open next month. However, he is not only willing to play at the Masters 1000 tournament but also to meet with his rival and tennis legend, Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz failed to win the Madrid Open for the third consecutive time after succumbing to defeat against Russian ace Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. The Spanish star had last month withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open after sustaining an injury. Returning for his first clay tournament of the season in Madrid, he fell short against an aggressive Rublev.
On the other hand, Djokovic has been experiencing one of his worst seasons in the past eight years. The Serbian has withdrawn from three tournaments this season for reasons best known to him. Meanwhile, he has competed in three tournaments, reaching two semifinals and a third-round exit. But will probably feature at the Italian Open in Rome.
Speaking to Kurir in an interview, Alcaraz revealed that he hope to see Djokovic in Rome and is hoping to recover from his forearm injury fully.
I will wear special protection on my arm. We'll see how well I recover this week. I can't wait to see Djokovic in Rome. I hope that I will come to Italy with a positive feeling. When I woke up in the morning, I felt tightness all over my body. My forearm started to hurt again. The bill arrived after hard matches. Carlos Alcaraz said
The Italian Open will kickstart on the 6th of May. Alcaraz is yet to win the Rome title while Djokovic has six already to his name, the last coming in May 2022.
Carlos Alcaraz willing to work hard before Rome Open next week
Carlos Alcaraz has revealed his aim for the Rome Open after Madrid’s quarterfinal exit. The Spanish star lost to Andrey Rublev despite winning the first set. He had missed the Monte Carlo and Barcelona Open due to a right arm injury, and though he recovered for the Madrid Open, he was not up for the task against Rublev.
He revealed during his post-match press conference that he will be working hard to see to his forearm pain so that he would compete in Rome.
I have to work hard these days if I want to go to Rome with good feelings, without pain, without thinking about my forearm, but it's gonna be a slow process, I guess. Carlos Alcaraz said
Alcaraz just has one title from six tournaments competed this season. Not the kind of start the 20-year-old hoped for, but that could change in Rome next week.
More must-reads: