Carlos Alcaraz has opened up about the mental toll of chasing the World No. 1 ranking while Jannik Sinner remains sidelined.

As tennis fans and pundits pointed out the “perfect opportunity” for Alcaraz to climb the rankings during Sinner’s injury break, the 20-year-old Spaniard revealed that the external expectations weighed heavily on him.

“A lot of people are asking me, or are telling me, that I have the chance to become No. 1 if Jannik isn’t playing,” Alcaraz told reporters. “So probably that pressure has killed me in some way.”

Alcaraz, who is still seeking rhythm in the clay season after early exits in Miami and Indian Wells, admitted that the goal of reaching No. 1 has only distanced him further from his best tennis.

“I’m just thinking that I’m not able to become No. 1 in the clay season, even if Jannik is not playing. I don’t have the chance to do it.”

“I think I’m too far from Jannik. So I’m just here and I realise that I don’t have to think about it and just go there and play. That’s my mindset right now.”

With the Monte Carlo Masters ahead and Roland Garros looming, Alcaraz is now resetting mentally, shifting focus from the rankings to rediscovering his level on court.