Carlos Alcaraz puts himself at the top of French Open favorites list along with Novak Djokovic & Stefanos Tsitsipas

With the 2023 French Open less than a month away, Carlos Alcaraz has shared his view on the favorites to lift the second Grand Slam of the year.

Alcaraz added yet another win to his near-perfect 2023 campaign by reaching the final of the Madrid Open on Friday, May 5. The World No. 2, who is the defending champion at the ATP 1000 event, defeated reigning Cincinnati Masters champion Borna Coric 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals.

Alcaraz has now registered 28 wins this year alongside just two losses. He is currently on a 10-match winning streak, having commenced his Madrid Open campaign on the back of a successful title defense at the Barcelona Open.

With his latest win, the Spaniard has also maintained his 100% record of reaching the final stage of claycourt tournaments in 2023. Alcaraz earlier won the Argentina Open and finished as the runner-up at the Rio Open.

After defeating Coric on his birthday, the 20-year-old was asked who he believes is the favorite for the 2023 French Open. Alcaraz responded that he views himself as the clay Slam favorite along with one-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and two-time winner Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz, however, did also state that Nadal would be the singular favorite if he manages to get fit in time for the Paris Major.

“There are Tsitsipas, Djokovic... If Rafa goes, it will always be his tournament. And I put myself at the top of the list,” Alcaraz said after the match, as per Marca.

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"Without wanting to be the best, you never go to be nobody" - Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his 20th birthday after making the final of the 2023 Madrid Open

Carlos Alcaraz is no more a teenager, having celebrated his 20th birthday on the day of his semifinal win against Borna Coric at the 2023 Madrid Open. Reflecting on everything he has achieved so early in his career, the Spaniard stated that he was staying grounded despite the accolades and that he was comfortable with the pace of his success.

“I don't have vertigo because of what I've experienced and what I have left to live. I don't have the feeling that everything is going fast. I'm still a kid and it's my second year on the circuit,” the former World No. 1 said in the same interview.

Alcaraz also highlighted the importance of passion, ambition and consistent effort in order to stay at the top in tennis.

“If you don't want to be a tennis player, no matter how much you have that gift, you won't get anything,” he added. “In my team, many players have told me that they pointed out ways and stayed on the road. You have to combine talent with work. Without wanting to be the best, you never go to be nobody.”

Carlos Alcaraz won the 2022 Madrid Open by defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the final. He will face yet another German, Jan-Lennard Struff, in hopes of lifting a 10th career title on Sunday, May 7.