Carlos Alcaraz needs to be mentally prepared for 'tricky' year, says tennis journalist

Carlos Alcaraz, who missed the 2023 Australian Open due to a hamstring injury, is all set to return to action at the Argentina Open later this month.

Alcaraz ended 2022 as World No. 1 following an incredible run last season, but has since lost his position at the top of the ATP rankings ladder.

According to tennis writer Steve Flink, the Spaniard will have to cope with the pressure of expectations as he attempts to defend the titles he won last year, while also trying to oust Novak Djokovic as the world's top-ranked tennis player.

While sharing his thoughts on the Monday Match Analysis show, Flink opined that Carlos Alcaraz will have a lot of pressure on him after possibly achieving more than he expected last year.

"It's always fun when you're on the way up. That was a sharp climb for him and then suddenly he finds himself in a position to finish the year at No. 1, and he manages to do it. It was more than he could have dreamed off at the start. I am sure he would have hoped for maybe a top 5 in the world which would have been the ceiling but gets to No. 1. Now, anything less than that this year, or anything less than winning another Major it all can start playing with your mind," Flink stressed.

Flink believes that the 19-year-old will be looking to do better at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2023. He will also have the responsibility of defending his titles, all of which could take their toll despite Carlos Alcaraz' discipline and determination.

"I think he is a very strong-minded character, very disciplined, determined and very mature but this year is going to be a tricky year, psychologically. Going back to Miami and Madrid and the places where he succeeded and try to defend titles and then trying to see if he can do a little better than the quarters of the French Open, see if he can have a better Wimbledon and finally going back and trying to defend the US Open," the American sports journalist explained.

"There were signs at the US Open that I really liked" - Steve Flink focuses on Carlos Alcaraz' improved first-serve

Alcaraz won his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open

When asked what particular aspect of his game Carlos Alcaraz worked on during the off-season to prepare him for the grueling year ahead, Steve Flink pointed out that the 19-year-old had developed a potent first serve during the US Open.

Flink stated that it was important for the World No. 2 to work on his first serve in order to fire in more service winners, which would thus reduce his overall workload.

"There were signs at the US Open that I really liked where he was putting more emphasis on that bigger first serve, to just take a little load off his shoulders and start firing it in there at 127, into the corners. Aces, service winners, to not have to scramble and work that hard for every point even though he is very explosive off the ground. That takes it's toll physically too," Steve Flink stated

Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to play three South American tournaments in Buenos Aires, Rio, and Acapulco in February.