Alcaraz Aims for ATP Success in Rio

The Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz said that he must better manage his "nerves" in "difficult moments" if he wants to have a victorious step in the ATP 500 tournament in Rio de Janeiro, the most important in South America.

The number two in the world ranking made the self-criticism after being defeated by the Chilean Nicolás Jarry in the semifinal of the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires, adding seven months without winning a title and leaving him without a chance to defend the crown in the Argentine competition.

"There are many things to improve in Buenos Aires. I am hitting the ball very well and I think my game is in good shape, but I have to learn to play better at certain moments," he said in a press conference prior to his debut in Brazil.

"For example, break points. I have to handle things better than I did in some difficult moments, when the nerves are there. I think it's the most important thing to improve if I want to have good results in Rio," he added.

Alcaraz, 20, has not won a tournament since his victory in July at Wimbledon, his second Grand Slam, after the 2022 US Open.

The Iberian prodigy assured that last year he spoke with his coach, former Spanish tennis player Juan Carlos Ferrero, about "changing some things" to maintain a high level throughout the year.

"The season does not end in September, we have to maintain the same level until November, December, until the last tournament of the season. I know what I have to do this year, I am working hard. It is going to be an exciting year, with the Olympics ahead. But in the middle or at the end of the season I have to be focused on maintaining the same intensity and the same level," he noted.

Before his premiere in the Argentine capital, Alcaraz assured that he preferred to win gold at the Paris Games rather than Roland Garros.