Carlos Alcaraz has had a whirlwind year so far, but the Spaniard is ready to keep it going after a couple of disappointing weeks on clay.
Alcaraz played back-to-back finals in Hamburg and Umag, but he lost both of them, and it was something that he had not experienced before.
Alcaraz won all five finals he played before those two, and it's been just the latest chapter in a whirlwind season for him. He's ready to keep writing chapters at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal this week, which he spoke about ahead of the event.
"I grew up so fast. To be the second seed at a Masters 1000 is amazing and I didn’t expect this at the beginning of the year. Honestly, I still can’t believe it right now."
"It is something I wanted at the start of the year, when I was aiming to be at the top and be one of the favourites to win one of the most important tournaments."
Alcaraz has a BYE in the first round of the 2022 Canadian Open, and he will face either Tommy Paul or Vasek Pospisil in the second round. Both are tricky opponents either way, but Alcaraz is also coming from clay without any hard-court preparations.
"It is tough to change surfaces quickly. In two months, I have played on three surfaces and it is tough. But I consider myself a player who adjusts to a new surface very fast."
"The transition from clay to hard is tough, but I did specific work to adjust to hard court and I have come here a lot of days before to get used to this court. [I have been] playing points and sets with the best players."
Alcaraz was warmly welcomed in Canada, and he now can't wait to step onto the court and feel the atmosphere in Montreal.
"I have felt so much love from the people. That is amazing for me. It is my first time and I didn’t expect that. There are lots of people and it is amazing to have the support and the love of the people here."