Carlos Alcaraz has spoken to the ATP Tennis Podcast about his prospects in Indian Wells this year.
The 19-year-old spoke about how he handles the pressure of social media and the big occasion, and how it feels being the top seed at a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career.
The Spanish teenager arrives in the Californian desert following a stuttering start to the year due to a leg injury from the end of last season. This ruled him out of action in Australia, while also appearing to flare up again in his loss to Cameron Norrie in the final in Rio de Janeiro.
When fit and healthy, the US Open champion has looked as scintillating as ever so far this year. Having won his opening match at Indian Wells in typically impressive style, concerns around the state of his leg have somewhat abated.
I think this is the first time I’ve been top seed in a Masters 1000. So it’s great, but honestly I don’t think too much about it and just enjoy and of course with social media, with the fans and everything outside the court.
I’m trying to enjoy as well, so you can see me always smiling and not taking the pressure on board. Well I'm trying to bring some my best level and try to make the people enjoy watching tennis. That's what I want. And of, of course I love playing big matches in big stadiums in big moments. I love that.
Following that opening win against Kokkinakis, Alcaraz will next take on in-form Dutchman Griekspoor for a place in the last 16.
Last season, Alcaraz had a successful run to the semi-finals, where he lost a tight match to Rafael Nadal in difficult and windy conditions.
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