Carlos Alcaraz under no pressure as defending US Open champion: ‘It doesn’t feel different’

Carlos Alcaraz is not feeling the pressure of being the US Open defending champion and is focusing on being ‘as ready’ as he can be for a shot at a third major.

Alcaraz claimed his maiden Grand Slam title in New York last year and is heading into the tournament this year as the top seed and a heavy favourite for the title.

But the 20-year-old revealed that he ‘feels the same’ going into the tournament this year as any other year and is focusing on one match at a time.

‘’Honestly, it doesn’t feel different,” Alcaraz told Eurosport.

“I feel the same as coming into a normal tournament. 

''I’m just focussing on practising, and practising well, and being as ready as I can before the tournament starts.

“I try not to think about being the defending champion and that I won last year. I just focus on this year and the first round.’’

Alcaraz also revealed the importance of having the support of his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, on a personal level as well as a professional one.

‘’He’s [Ferrero] a really important person for me, not just professionally but personally as well,’’ Alcaraz said.

“He taught me a lot of things about dealing with tough moments on court, but to be a better person as well.

‘’Being a good person is more important than being a good athlete. For me that’s really important and Juan helped me a lot on that.

“I always said that Juan is my second father. It’s great to have him in my life.’’

Alcaraz’s US Open campaign gets underway on August 29, when he will face Dominik Koepfer in the first round.