Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz don talk say him dey get extra motivation from him rivalry with new world number one Jannik Sinner as him dey prepare for Conde de Godó Trophy for Barcelona. The young player yarn this for press conference on Monday after Sinner beat am for Montecarlo Masters final on Sunday, take away the top ranking from am.
“I think say the battle wey Jannik and I dey fight for number one na something beautiful,” Alcaraz talk. “And I believe say e dey give me extra motivation.” The 22-year-old wey don win seven Grand Slam titles explain say the Italian dey push am to become better player, even though their relationship no be personal one. “We no dey go chop together or go dinner,” Alcaraz add. “But outside court, our relationship dey very good.”
Alcaraz talk say Sinner dey make am see him weaknesses and know where to focus during training and matches. “Na one of the players wey dey make me better,” him yarn. “I dey try to improve myself every day, and e dey beautiful to have am as reference point, to see all the things wey him dey achieve.” The Spanish player also express happiness say Sinner dey make “giant steps” on clay court, and say both of dem dey very equal for all surfaces.
“When we dey face each other, no get favorite,” Alcaraz insist. “No matter if we dey play for grass, hard court, or clay.” For Barcelona tournament wey dey happen from Saturday 11th to Sunday 19th April, Alcaraz fit regain the number one ranking if him win the title. Him don win Conde de Godó Trophy two times before – for 2022 and 2023 – but last year him reach final only.
The tournament wey dey hold for Real Club Tenis Barcelona na 73rd edition this year, and na one of the most significant events for tennis calendar because of tradition. The trophy wey dem design since 1953 by Soler Cabot jewelers na made of sterling silver and weigh about 13 kilograms. The base na American oak, and small tennis player statue dey for the top cover while ornamental carving cover the whole cup.
Alcaraz go play him first match on Tuesday against Finnish player Otto Virtanen for round of 16. Other favorites for the tournament include Italian Lorenzo Musetti and Australian Álex de Miñaur. The matches for early rounds go start from 11:00 hours for both Rafa Nadal Court and Andrés Gimeno Court.
Rafa Nadal still remain the most successful player for Conde de Godó history with 13 titles, but him no dey play this year edition. The tournament na part of European clay court tour wey just start with Montecarlo Masters and go continue with Mutua Madrid Open for coming weeks. Except for that 2020 year wey everything scatter, Conde de Godó don hold every year without break for the clay courts of Real Club Tenis Barcelona.
The final for Sunday 19th April go hold for Rafa Nadal Court not before 16:00 hours Spanish time. Which players go reach that final still remain unknown as the tournament just begin. But with Alcaraz determination to regain top ranking and Sinner absence this week, all eyes dey on the Spanish star wey dey see this Barcelona battle as motivation to bounce back.
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