Ahead of his Miami Open title bid, the incumbent tennis superstar, Carlos Alcaraz, said that the players are showcasing a more aggressive brand to defend him. The Spaniard sees it as a compliment to him.
Earlier in the year, Alcaraz secured his sixth Grand Slam title by clinching his first-ever Australian Open title. He will be looking to bounce back from his loss in the Indian Wells semi-finals. He will begin his Miami Open campaign by playing a clash against Joao Fonseca.
The 19-year-old Fonseca will be aiming to bring his fearless, attacking style against the world number one in their first head-to-head meeting, which will undoubtedly be a fire versus fire clash given the high intensity, aggressive and flashy playing styles of both players.
“I think I am just trying to take it as a compliment when players try to play their best, more aggressively if they want to beat me,” said the Spaniard as quoted by the ATP official website in the pre-tournament interview in Miami.
“I think it is a great thing to know, and obviously, I am just really happy that they are taking us [as] players to try to beat, and we are trying to make them improve as a player as well. So for me, that is great,” added Spain`s athlete.
He then stated that at times, an aggressive brand of tennis from the opponent is not that easy to handle.
“But sometimes when I step on the court and see the opponent playing that level, it is not that funny,” said the 22-year-old tennis star.
Alcaraz said that his focus is on being “one step forward” and “trying to see what their opponent`s next move is going to be before they make it”.
“It is like chess in a way. I am trying to be there a little bit earlier or trying to think what is going to happen next. Then I can think about my move. I am trying that or just trying to be more aggressive than them or trying not to let them be in a good spot all the time,” he concluded his point.
Alcaraz clinched his first ATP Masters title at Miami way back in 2022 and has a solid win-loss record of 13-4 at the event. During last year`s edition, he faced a first-round exit after a shock loss to David Goffin.
The title clash of the Miami Open is scheduled to be played on March 30th.
(With ANI Inputs)
