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Jakarta (ANTARA) – World number one Carlos Alcaraz wants to make amends by participating in the ATP Masters 1000 event in Canada for the second time.

The Wimbledon champion got off to a poor start in Montreal last year after losing his opening match to American Tommy Paul in the country’s ATP debut.

The 20-year-old Spaniard, who will defend his 2022 US Open title in New York later this month, has started his warm-up for the Grand Slam tournament in Toronto.

Alcaraz knows he faces the pressure he will face as the top target at the Canadian Open which begins Monday.

“I remember that last year I didn’t have a good tournament in Canada. I came this year to change that,” Alcaraz said on Monday, quoted by AFP.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz challenges Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final

“I hope to go far, to do better than last season. A year later, I think I learned a lot from this situation, about how to handle pressure.”

In addition to being a two-time Grand Slam champion, Alcaraz has won five other titles in six finals appearances since Canada last year, including titles in Argentina, Indian Wells, Barcelona, ​​Madrid and Queen’s.

“I played in big stadiums, big matches, fought for big things. I think that really helped me develop as a player and as a person,” Alcaraz said.

“A year later, I was completely different.”

The top seed will face his first test in the second round, awaiting the winner of his compatriot Bernabé Zapata or the American Ben Shelton.

Alcaraz leads the tournament ahead of second seed Daniil Medvedev and number three Casper Ruud.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Gives Djokovic Warning By Beating Tennis Veteran

The Spaniard will compete on hard courts for the first time this summer after returning from clay for the Hopman Cup team event in Nice, France.

He had to put last month’s victory at Wimbledon into perspective after securing the biggest victory of his young career.

“I have the Wimbledon trophy in my living room, so every time I have lunch or dinner with my family, I see it. It’s something I don’t want to forget,” Alcaraz said.

“I’ve only had a week to think about it… I need a little more because it’s hard to believe.”

Alcaraz said winning Wimbledon at the age of 20 in his third appearance was “something I dreamed of when I started playing tennis”.

“For me it’s an achievement and I have to take the time to think about it because I still don’t believe it,” Alcaraz said.

This news was published on Antaranews.com with the title: Alcaraz wants to make amends to ATP Canada with victory