Carlos Alcaraz is counting down the days until he competes in the 2022 Madrid Open, and he seemingly doesn't lack confidence.
The young Spaniard has been one of the best performers on the ATP Tour in 2022, and he wants to prove that status again at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in the Spanish capital, where he will be supported by home fans.
He is the seventh seed at the Madrid Open this year and will take on the winner of the match between Italian Fabio Fognini and Nikoloz Basilashvili from Georgia in the second round of the competition.
He can meet his idol Rafael Nadal relatively soon in Madrid and possibly take on the world number one, Novak Djokovic, who he's set to practice with on Monday.
Ahead of the tournament, the youngster spoke to the media in Madrid, and he explained how his approach changed only in 12 months. Before, he was the player adoring the best, now, he's one of the best.
"I think that as a player I have grown a lot, [and also] as a person. Last year I came here to live these kinds of matches, to be able to gain some experience, to be able to level myself against the best players in the world. Now I consider myself one of them."
Alcaraz also got to improve a lot in the past 12 months. Pinpointing some of the improvements, he named both his fitness, but also his mental game, which improved.
"I would say my fitness has been important but definitely the most important part has been the mental game. I feel I have grown up so much in that part. That is why I am the World No. 9 right now and that is why I am playing at a good level. That is why I have been able to win great matches, so I think [my mentality] is the most important thing."
Playing at the Madrid Open is special for the young Spaniard, because he gets to compete in front of his home fans, who can give him that needed boost to push towards a victory. He's aware of that and wants to use the energy from the fans.
"It's not easy to play at home. There is a lot of expectation, a lot of people that want to see you doing it well. But I'm a player that turns things around. I take that as a motivation, as an extra punch, extra help."
"I am really excited to be competing here. It is great to play in Spain in front of my home crowd. I try not to think about the pressure. I just try and think about myself and play my best on court. I am trying to have a great time with the crowd pushing me up. I don’t try and think about the expectations."