(Toronto) “I’ve played in big stadiums, I’ve had big times and I’m ready for the biggest things. »
It is with these words that Carlos Alcaraz initiated his first visit to Toronto.
The Spaniard looks like a 20-year-old. The ardor, the candor and the look. With the difference that he walks around with a Rolex watch on his wrist and has already won two Grand Slam titles.
A few days ago he won the Wimbledon tournament. In his fourth tournament played on grass only.
The ManiAlcaraz is more frenetic and heartfelt than ever before. Like Elizabeth II on her visits across the Commonwealth, the world number one had the red carpet rolled out on her arrival in the Queen City.
“I had my first practice today with [Daniil] Medvedev. I received a lot of love from the public. He was shouting Carlitos, Let’s go, Come on. It was special,” he said at the final press conference of the day on Saturday.
Nevertheless, last year in Montreal, Alcaraz was shown the exit door in his first match against Tommy Paul.
This year, in this Ontario edition, he wishes to have a better fate: “I didn’t have a good tournament last year in Canada and I hope it will be better this year. I learned a lot from this situation. I also learned a lot about how to handle pressure. In fact, how better to manage everything. »
Alcaraz made history for different reasons with their most recent victory at Wimbledon.
Obviously, his life, his career and a host of other aspects of his daily life have been turned upside down for the better.
After his victory over Novak Djokovic, the champion returned for a week to his native Spain to celebrate with his loved ones. A week, however, is not enough time to understand the magnitude of his achievement, he admits: “I haven’t had much time and I think I’m going to need a bit more to really get there [to achieve it]. It’s crazy what happened. Winning Wimbledon at 20 is a dream. »
In his absence, the trophy rests in his living room, at home, in full view. “That way, whenever my family comes, they can watch it.” I never want to forget it. »
The right-hander says he is “a very normal boy”. We want to believe him and if neophytes came across him by chance during a visit to the CN tower, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to believe that this young man is one of the most dominant sportsmen on the planet.
In contrast, over the past three years, Alcaraz has won 12 titles, including two majors and four Masters 1000. A meteoric rise creating legitimate expectations, putting him in the same league as the biggest names in tennis history . And that’s just the beginning.
“It all happened so quickly. I know I’m still young, but that’s what I worked for. I always wanted to do this job and fight for the highest honours. But you never realize it until it happens. »
In his first visit to Toronto and his first tournament since Wimbledon, the pressure will be at its height. The whole tennis world is eager to see its new king in action at the start of his new reign after earning his crown. How will Alcaraz respond? Probably like the best player in the world.
