“I’m very proud of it, it’s really amazing”- Alcaraz on receiving King Felipe Award

The Spaniard received the award from King Felipe VI at the Royal Palace in El Pardo

Carlos Alcaraz, Madrid Image Credit: Cordon/ SIPA

April 5, 2024

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz received the King Felipe Award, given to the best Spanish athlete of 2022, from King Felipe VI at the Royal Palace in El Pardo in Madrid.

The world No 3 received the award for his 2022 season, during which he won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open and became the youngest world No 1 in men’s tennis history.

“We’re surrounded by great athletes in Spain in every field. Three or four years ago I wouldn’t have expected to get this award. I’m very proud of it, it’s really amazing,” the Spaniard said at the ceremony as quoted by the ATP Tour.

“I don’t feel like the favourite at all” – Alcaraz on his chances during the clay season

Alcaraz will be back in action next week at the Monte-Carlo, which kick starts the clay court season, and the Spaniard knows that his major rivals – Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner – will be tough to beat on this surface.

After missing the event in 2023, Carlos Alcaraz is back in Monte-Carlo! pic.twitter.com/ftG5lBNtF8
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 5, 2024

“I can’t wait, I’m really excited,” Alcaraz said. “The two most recent tournaments have been really good, both in terms of my level and my state of mind. It was a shame to lose to Dimitrov (in Miami), but I left happy with how I was feeling on court. I’m ready to have another good clay swing.”

“Djokovic and Sinner play well on any surface. I don’t feel like the favourite at all, despite the good results I’ve had in the clay swing,” the 20-year-old said. “They are in very good form, maybe Djokovic a little less, but at the end of the day we’re talking about Novak and he can find his ‘A’ game at any time. I don’t feel like the favourite at all.”