Alcaraz not fussed by drop to world No. 3

Carlos Alcaraz is not concerned about dropping one spot in the ATP rankings as the Spaniard falls to third in the world behind on-form Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz, who once touched world No. 1, will attempt to remedy his situation when he begins in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters after a bye as third seed behind Novak Djokovic and Sinner.

“Being No. 1 or two is fantastic, but being second or third doesn’t change much,” the 20-year-old said.

“I don’t play with less pressure being two or three. I feel the same”. 

Alcaraz has a patchy history the principality, losing his only previous match here in 2022 to Sebastian Korda.

“I’ve only played (here) once and it didn’t go too well, but I’m really looking forward to it and seeing how it goes. 

“I hope to go far, to the final rounds, but it is a very tough tournament with very complicated rivals, so we will see.” 

The youngster is dreaming of perhaps playing Olympic doubles in July with Rafael Nadal, a possibility which now looks long-odds with the elder Spaniard still not back on court yet from more than a season of injury troubles.

“It’s like a dream, I hope to play doubles with him at the Olympic Games,” Alcaraz said.

“There are still four months left and anything can happen. For me it would be great.”