Carlos Alcaraz has had a remarkable 2024, with his victories at the French Open and Wimbledon firmly establishing him as one of the top players in men’s tennis this year.
His last appearance was at the Paris Olympics, where he secured a silver medal after a hard-fought final against Novak Djokovic. At just 21 years old, the Spanish sensation now boasts four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic medal.
Heading into the Cincinnati Open, Alcaraz holds the World No. 3 ranking, trailing current No. 1 Jannik Sinner by 820 points. Alcaraz, a former World No. 1, has set an ambitious goal for the remainder of the season: to reclaim the top spot by year’s end. This is a feat he first accomplished in 2022 after winning the US Open.
“Being No. 1 is always a goal for me, and the year-end race is a crucial ranking,” Alcaraz told ATP ahead of the Cincinnati Open. “If you finish No. 1 in the race, you’ll end the year as No. 1 in the rankings. So, I’m really focused on that. My aim is to play great tennis in every tournament and to keep improving my standing in the race. Ending the year as No. 1 is one of my main goals right now, and I’m eager to achieve it.”
Alcaraz also emphasized the significance of the Cincinnati Open, aiming to build on the momentum from his recent performances, including his run to the final last year where he lost to Djokovic in a thrilling three-set match. “I’m fighting hard to be No. 1 in the race, and this tournament is really important for me,” he said. “I’m going to try to play my best tennis, at the same level I’ve been playing, and see where it takes me.”
Reflecting on his recent matches, Alcaraz acknowledged that while he’s been winning, he doesn’t feel he’s been playing at his highest level. “I’ve been winning matches, but not always playing my best tennis. What’s important is how I’ve stayed mentally strong in tough situations, and I’m really happy about that,” he shared.
As the No. 2 seed in Cincinnati, Alcaraz has received a bye in the first round. He will kick off his campaign in the second round against either Gael Monfils or Alexei Popyrin, aiming to continue his push towards the top of the rankings.
