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Carlos Alcaraz - Indian Wells 2023
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Carlos Alcaraz Has First European Grand Slam In His Sights


After claiming his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, Carlos Alcaraz will have the first major title on European soil on his list of targets in 2023.

The Spaniard has certainly started the season positively with victory at Indian Wells and now the world number one will be determined to get his hands on silverware at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Confidence Growing Ahead Of Roland-Garros

Leapfrogging Novak Djokovic into the top spot in the men’s world rankings, it has been a strong start to 2023 for Alcaraz. The 19-year-old’s win over Daniil Medvedev in the final at Indian Wells was a major confidence boost and now the Spaniard is 7/4 in the betting on French Open winner to secure a first title at Roland-Garros this summer. Alcaraz managed his best finish in Paris at the quarter-finals stage last year but looks ready to take on those extra steps needed to be crowned French Open champion.

Last season was a breakthrough campaign for Alcaraz and it looks like this player has a bright future ahead of him as players jostle for position in the wake of Djokovic and Rafael Nadal approaching the end of their stellar careers. While Alcaraz went out in the third round and fourth round of the Australian Open and Wimbledon respectively last year, reaching the quarter-finals at the French Open was a step forward.

The 19-year-old then went on to really announce himself on the world stage by claiming his first Grand Slam title at the US Open. Beating Norway’s Casper Ruud in the final, Alcaraz is now looking to build on his success at Flushing Meadows this season.

Veterans Still Have Plenty To Offer

While Djokovic and Nadal might be edging closer to calling time on their playing careers, the pair are still set to be formidable figures at the three remaining Grand Slam events of the year. Djokovic put down a marker by winning the 2023 Australian Open before missing out on Indian Wells and the Miami Open. That absence allowed Alcaraz to climb to the top of the world rankings but he will be under no illusions about what Djokovic is capable of.

The start of 2023 has not been ideal for Nadal, who suffered a leg injury in the second round of the Australian Open on the way to an early exit in Melbourne. Nadal was also forced to miss Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to the injury but he’s been working behind the scenes to be ready to defend his French Open title this year. The signs are looking promising that Nadal will be fit for the highly-anticipated event at Roland-Garros and he will be another potential obstacle for Alcaraz to overcome if he is to win a maiden French Open crown and a first Grand Slam title on European soil.

The rise of Alcaraz has been a steep one but the Spanish star will be looking to reach new heights with success in Europe this summer.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.