Top Form Over Top Rank

Chasing No. 1 spot adds 'pressure' so Alcaraz focuses on returning to his best

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INDIAN WELLS - World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz said reclaiming top spot in the rankings is not his foremost priority over the next few months as the Spaniard looks to avoid any additional pressure in the search for his best form.

Alcaraz hammered Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-1 on March 12 to reach the quarter-finals of Indian Wells, where the 21-year-old is gunning for a third successive title to match Roger Federer (2004-06) and Novak Djokovic (2014-16) in achieving the feat.

While Alcaraz cannot leapfrog the top-ranked Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Alexander Zverev by winning the trophy this week, it could leave him primed to make his move during the European clay-court swing where he will defend his French Open crown.

"I'm not thinking much about recovering the No. 1 in two or three months. That could make me feel extra pressure," Alcaraz, who previously held top spot for 36 weeks, told reporters.

Alcaraz will be among the main contenders at tournaments in the coming weeks with Italian Sinner serving a doping ban until May 4, but the Spaniard said he will take things day by day.