Article by Luminița Paul – published Thursday, 08 May 2025 20:57 / Updated Thursday, May 08, 2025 20:57
The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz (22 years old, the 3rd place) is preparing for the debut in the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome and welcomes the competitive return of the ATP leader Jannik Sinner, after the 3-month suspension after negotiations with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Carlos Alcaraz He returns to Rome only for the second time in his career, preparing to debut in the Masters 1000 category tournament, the last on the slag of 2025.
Although he missed the similar contest from Madrid due to an injury to his left foot, the Spaniard said that he is now fully recovered and that he feels confident with his current level of tennis. However, there is another reason why these two weeks from Rome are special: the return of Jannik Sinner in the competition.
Carlos Alcaraz: “It's great for me, for tennis, fans”
“I am very happy to have him again,” said Alcaraz, smiling broadly. “It's been three months. Obviously, it was hard for him and I'm pretty sure it was super long. But yes, I think there is no better place to return than here, in his house, for him, here, in Rome“Added Carlos.
“It is great for me, for tennis, for fans to have it again, that it can play a tour again. We are in different parts of the painting. Let's hope I will meet him in the final. But again, I am very happy to see him, his team. Will enjoy seeing him again playing”, Stressed the Iberian.
Despite persistent concerns about his health after the withdrawal from Madrid, Alcaraz reassured his fans.
“Last year it was even more difficult,” he said, explaining that this time the decision was one made especially of caution. “I played very good tournaments, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, good matches. Then I stopped a little. I just try to recover after the injury, which did not worry at all. So now I trust. The workouts were good. I am delighted to start the tournament. I think my level is in a good point,” he said.
Carlos Alcaraz, training at Rome with full photo stands: Imago Images
The former world leader also reflected on the recent documentary Netflix, “Alcaraz – in my style”, about his life and career – an experience that, he acknowledged, made him feel restless, but finally proud.
Carlos Alcaraz: “I had emotions, I didn't know how they would react”
“Honestly, I had emotions because I didn't know how it would be for people when they would watch it, how they would react,” acknowledged the quadruple champion by Grand Slam. However, he was very pleased with the reactions he received, including from the players.
“So far, they were very positive, which was great for me. Some players told me they liked it. I am very happy that he had a special impact for people, for fans. I just try to show my personality, how I am, how I struggled, what though I had in my head“He explained.
Alcaraz will start his campaign in Rome on Friday, when he is scheduled to play the second match on Campo Central Dusan Lajovic (34 years, 131st place ATP), coming from qualifications. In his only previous appearance at Foro Italico, in 2023, the Spaniard was surprisingly defeated in the third round by the Hungarian Fabian Marozsan.
