Miami Open: Carlos Alcaraz takes opponents’ aggressive approach as a compliment

Carlos Alcaraz (Pic: File Pic)

Ahead of his Miami Open title bid, the incumbent tennis superstar, Carlos Alcaraz, said that the players are showcasing a more aggressive brand to defend him. The Spaniard sees it as a compliment to him.

Earlier in the year, Alcaraz secured his sixth Grand Slam title by clinching his first-ever Australian Open title. He will be looking to bounce back from his loss in the Indian Wells semi-finals. He will begin his Miami Open campaign by playing a clash against Joao Fonseca.

The 19-year-old Fonseca will be aiming to bring his fearless, attacking style against the world number one in their first head-to-head meeting, which will undoubtedly be a fire versus fire clash given the high intensity, aggressive and flashy playing styles of both players.

"I think I am just trying to take it as a compliment when players try to play their best, more aggressively if they want to beat me," said the Spaniard as quoted by the ATP official website in the pre-tournament interview in Miami.

"I think it is a great thing to know, and obviously, I am just really happy that they are taking us [as] players to try to beat, and we are trying to make them improve as a player as well. So for me, that is great," added Spain's athlete.

He then stated that at times, an aggressive brand of tennis from the opponent is not that easy to handle.

"But sometimes when I step on the court and see the opponent playing that level, it is not that funny," said the 22-year-old tennis star.

Alcaraz said that his focus is on being "one step forward" and "trying to see what their opponent's next move is going to be before they make it".

"It is like chess in a way. I am trying to be there a little bit earlier or trying to think what is going to happen next. Then I can think about my move. I am trying that or just trying to be more aggressive than them or trying not to let them be in a good spot all the time," he concluded his point.

Alcaraz clinched his first ATP Masters title at Miami way back in 2022 and has a solid win-loss record of 13-4 at the event. During last year's edition, he faced a first-round exit after a shock loss to David Goffin.

The title clash of the Miami Open is scheduled to be played on March 30th.

(With ANI Inputs)