Carlos Alcaraz is targeting a Roland-Garros and Wimbledon double and add his name to an illustrious list of only five men’s singles players to achieve the feat.
He would rank alongside Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, should the reigning champion go onto defend his title.
When assessing the challenge ahead, he said in his pre-match press conference: “Well, winning Grand Slams is difficult. Obviously changing from clay to a grass court, totally different surfaces, totally different game of play.
“Let’s say I’m going to try. Obviously, I want to put my name on that short list to win Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in the same year.
“I know that there’s going to be a really difficult and big challenge for me, but I think I’m ready to do it.
“I’ve done great work these last few weeks just to get ready, just to feel comfortable to play Wimbledon here at 100%.”
The 21-year-old spoke about the challenges of going back to competing on clay after the grass before switching to hard courts in the build-up to the US Open.
“Well, it’s not easy to change surfaces in just a week,” he explained.
“I’m 100% sure that I’m going to play the Olympics. For me it is an amazing event, and an amazing tournament.
“It’s going to be my first one, so I really wanted to live that experience to be in Olympic Games. I’m going to go there and give my 100% for my country. Then, of course, it is a really short period that we have when the Olympic Games is finished until Toronto and Montreal.”
Alcaraz heads into Wimbledon after the disappointment of losing his title at Queen’s following a surprise second-round defeat to British No. 1 Jack Draper.
Despite that setback, the Spaniard says he is in fine fettle as he targets a fourth Grand Slam title.
“Well, I’m feeling great,” he added.
“Honestly, after Queen’s, I had a lot of days to adapt my game, to practice, to get better. After losing at Queen’s, I started practising my movement, and my shots the next day; just to be more comfortable moving and playing on grass this year.
“I had some great practice session with great players just to assess my level. Right now, I think I’m ready to start the tournament.”