Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon 1R opponent Mark Lajal sends out warning; supports idea of defending champion's "first-round exit" in 2024

Carlos Alcaraz’s first-round opponent at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, Mark Lajal, has sent out a warning to the Spaniard ahead of their clash. Lajal recently supported the idea of the defending champion’s opening-round exit.

Alcaraz, the third seed at SW19, begins his campaign on Centre Court on Monday, July 1, against Estonia’s top-ranked tennis player, Mark Lajal. Lajal, who is making his Grand Slam main-draw debut at the tournament, has punched his ticket to the final 128 with impressive victories over Francesco Passaro, Henrique Rocha, and James Duckworth in the qualifying rounds.

When the draw was announced on Friday, June 28, the World No. 262 shared his excitement at facing the defending champion on social media.

"Catch me here on Monday," he wrote on Instagram, sharing a video from his Centre Court visit.

Lajal showed he’s got what it takes by reposting a bold remark made by his compatriot and colleague, Alexander Georg Mandma, regarding Carlos Alcaraz’s chances of making it past the first round.

"What road to the final? First round exit, byebye," he wrote.

Mark Lajal on Instagram

Lajal, who trained at Serena Williams’ ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou’s academy, also received support from Coco Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas’ brother Petros after making the main draw.

Coco Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas' brother Petros on Instagram

Carlos Alcaraz and Mark Lajal, both 21 years old, have never met on the tour before. The latter has yet to win a title on the ATP circuit but has found success in the Challenger and ITF categories. He clinched three ITF titles in 2022 and his maiden Challenger title in 2023.

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Carlos Alcaraz on his Wimbledon title defense: "I have to be really focused every day"

Alcaraz pictured at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships (Image Source: Getty)

Before his 2023 Wimbledon title run, which saw him beat four-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the final, Carlos Alcaraz had won just nine matches on grasscourts. He competed at SW19 after winning his maiden title on the surface at the Queen’s Club Championships.

This season, though, has been different for the former World No. 1. After winning his third different Grand Slam title at the French Open, Alcaraz failed to defend his title in London, losing to home favorite Jack Draper in straight sets in the second round. He is thus set to commence his Wimbledon title defense with just one grasscourt win under his belt.

Speaking about his upcoming run at an event hosted by his racquet sponsor, Babolat, Alcaraz said:

"I think it’s even more special as the defending champion."

He, however, hinted that despite being one of the top favorites, he would take things one match at a time.

"But I try not to think too much about it. I’m just here to do the same result as last year. So I have to be really focused every day, and in every practice, and try to stay away from the emotions and the run that I had last year if I want to do the same," he added.

Carlos Alcaraz features in World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s half of the draw, meaning that the arch-rivals are headed for a potential semifinal meeting. Frances Tiafoe, Sebastian Baez, Ugo Hubert, Tommy Paul, Alexander Bublik, Mariano Navone, and Casper Ruud are the seeded players that feature in his quarter.