"I don't consider myself the favorite" - Carlos Alcaraz looks forward to Indian Wells campaign, targets world No. 1 ranking held by Novak Djokovic

There is a lot at stake for top seed Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells 2023 but the Spaniard believes he is not the favorite to win the title in the Californian desert due to a lack of match-time for him on hard-courts this season. However, the Spaniard will leave no stone unturned in his quest to regain the world No. 1 ranking by the end of the tournament.

Alcaraz has played in only two tournaments so far this season, both on clay, after ending his 2022 season at the Paris Masters due to an abdominal injury. His start to 2023 was also marred by a separate injury issue before he kickstarted his season at the Argentina Open last month.

Indian Wells is thus Alcaraz's first tournament on hard-courts since early November 2022 and the world No. 2 feels he will take some time to find his feet before considering himself the favorite to win such big tournaments on the surface.

"I don't consider myself the favorite because I haven't played a tournament on a hard surface for a long time," Carlos Alcaraz said ahead of the start of his Indian Wells campaign, as per Marca.

Having said that, the reigning US Open champion is aware that he has a chance to overtake Novak Djokovic as the ATP world No. 1 by winning the title at Indian Wells, and he is highly motivated by that goal.

"It's a good goal for me and I'm going to go for it. I'd like to get a great result here because I love the tournament," Alcaraz conveyed.

The 19-year-old has quite a few points to defend in the Californian desert this year, having reached the semifinals at 2022 Indian Wells. He lost to compatriot Rafael Nadal at the last-4 stage before going on to win the Miami Open two weeks later for his maiden Masters 1000 title.

Alcaraz already has a title to his name this season, having won in Buenos Aires. He also reached the final of the Rio Open, before withdrawing from the Mexican Open in Acapulco.

"After a few days off, I'm ready" - Carlos Alcaraz lays to rest injury concerns ahead of Indian Wells 2023

Carlos Alcaraz during a practice session at Indian Wells.

There were growing concerns regarding Carlos Alcaraz's participation in the build-up to Indian Wells after he withdrew from the Mexican Open due to a hamstring injury that hampered his performance in the Rio Open final loss to Cameron Norrie. The Spaniard also withdrew from last weekend's exhibition event in Las Vegas. However, Alcaraz's well-wishers breathed a sigh of relief as he took to the courts at Indian Wells for his first practice session earlier this week, alongside Frances Tiafoe.

Alcaraz has brushed aside all injury concerns, revealing that he feels good and raring to go for this season's first ATP Masters 1000 tournament. He felt no discomfort from his training session with Tiafoe.

"Right now I feel good. It's the first day I've trained with another player and the sensations have been good. We've played some points. After a few days off, I'm ready," Carlos Alcaraz said on the same.

The El Palmar, Murcia native will begin his campaign on Saturday against Thanasi Kokkinakis. He was placed in the same quarter of the draw as Andy Murray and eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.