Despite enjoying stellar success on tour this year, Carlos Alcaraz has not been able to replicate this form in the Grand Slams.
The Spaniard started off the year by losing to Italian Matteo Berrettini in the third-round of the Australian Open in a close five-setter.
In Paris, Alcaraz was simply outplayed by an Alexander Zverev on fine form, before it was the turn of Jannik Sinner to get the better over the young Spaniard on the SW19 grass.
With Alcaraz even pipped as one of the favourites for Roland Garros, none of those results or runs went to plan.
Now back on the regular ATP Tour and having had the chance to reflect on those losses at the recent Hamburg Open, Alcaraz admitted that said losses do not necessarily bother him now, but when in Umag, he explained that he did not know how to handle the experiences in the best way:
"When facing the challenge of a Grand Slam, the fundamental thing is the mental aspect because to face matches of four or five hours, you have to be very prepared. I think I wasn't at my best in that particular aspect and I didn't know how to handle the pressure and nerves in the best possible way. "
With eyes firmly fixed on the future, the young star went on to explain how he has been enjoying his time off at recent tournaments:
"I am fully recovered physically and mentally from what happened in Hamburg and I look ready to face the title defence in Umag. I am very fond of this event, I love to come because there is a great atmosphere and I have been able to relax for a few days and do new things, such as riding a jet ski."
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