Carlos Alcaraz makes Grand Slam admission, saying: ‘I don’t know how to handle the pressure’

Carlos Alcaraz has admitted he has struggled to cop mentally with the challenges of Grand Slams this year.

The 19-year-old has had a remarkable year, winning four ATP titles including two Masters. He also reached the final of Hamburg last week before losing to Lorenzo Musetti.

This week he is attempting to defend his Umag title from last season, but he admits he is still to figure out how to approach Grand Slams.

“When facing the challenge of a Grand Slam, the fundamental thing is the mental aspect because to face matches of four or five hours, you have to be very prepared,” Alcaraz said.

“I think I wasn’t at my best in that particular aspect and I didn’t know how to handle the pressure and nerves in the best possible way.

Despite him still awaiting his first genuine Grand Slam breakthrough, Carlos Alcaraz has broken into the top five in double-quick time.

He, though, says that is just a stepping stone to his bigger career goal of becoming world number one.

“I consider that I have completed one stage and now another begins,” he explained.

“In it, I see that I have four players ahead of me that I have to surpass in order to meet my big goal, which is to be number one in the world, and I will work hard to achieve it.”

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